Tree protection - Apply for an exemption permit

• You are the owner of a property (Grundstück) or their authorized representative. • The measure concerns trees on private and public properties and does not apply to projects of the Federal Government (Bund). Responsibility (Zuständigkeit) for projects of the Federal Government lies with the Senate Department responsible for the environment in Berlin. • The measure on the tree generally takes place outside the period from 01.03. to 30.09. of a year (period of the felling ban). • The reason for measures on trees can be the property owner's duty to ensure traffic safety (Verkehrssicherungspflicht). The owner is obliged to prevent damage to persons or property caused by trees. • The protection of animals living in trees and hedges must be observed. • power of attorney (Vollmacht), if applicable If you, as the applicant, are not the owner of the property, powers of attorney from the owner(s) are mandatory.

• Application for the Grant of an Ausnahmegenehmigung (exemption permit) Available online or as an informal written application by e-mail or post • For the online application: Please have all required documents and evidence ready for upload in the formats PDF, JPG or PNG. Permitted file size: 10 MB per file, 50 MB in total. • For the written application: An informal written application by e-mail or by post is possible in all Bezirke (districts). The resulting increase in processing effort may lead to a higher administrative fee. • A separate application must be submitted for each property. • Details of the planned measure • e.g. tree felling, tree pruning, crown reduction, or interference with the root system (including excavation, filling, root severance) • Tree species, trunk circumference (measured at a height of 1.30 meters), crown diameter • Justification for the application • Site plan or location sketch of the protected tree stock • Company quote or expert report (if available) • Table for legal entities for measures affecting 15 or more trees As a legal entity, please use the prescribed table to submit the tree details if you wish to apply for measures affecting at least 15 trees. • Power of attorney, if applicable • Proof of an existing fee exemption, if applicable Certain applicants are exempt from the fees. Exemption from the fee obligation must be proven.

• Table for legal entities for measures involving 15 or more trees www.berlin.de/umwelt/themen/natur-pflanzen-artenschutz/bda-b

• 45.00 to 760.00 euros: administrative fee • A rejection of the measure is also subject to a fee In addition to the administrative fees, further costs (compensation payment, replacement planting) may result from the Bescheid (official notice).

• Bundesnaturschutzgesetz (BNatSchG, Federal Nature Conservation Act), in particular § 29 (1) and § 39 (5) No. 2 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bnatschg_2009/ • Baumschutzverordnung (BaumSchVO, Tree Protection Ordinance) § 5 gesetze.berlin.de/perma?j=BaumSchV_BE • Berliner Naturschutzgesetz (NatSchG Bln, Berlin Nature Conservation Act) gesetze.berlin.de/perma?j=NatSchG_BE • Umweltschutzgebührenordnung (UGebO, Environmental Protection Fee Schedule), Annex, tariff item 6011 J) gesetze.berlin.de/bsbe/document/aiz-jlr-NNLBE00004769%402027 • Umweltschutzgebührenordnung (UGebO) § 2 - Personal fee exemption gesetze.berlin.de/perma?j=VwGebO_BE_!_2

• Information on tree protection (Senatsverwaltung für Mobilität, Verkehr, Klimaschutz und Umwelt, Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment) www.berlin.de/sen/uvk/natur-und-gruen/naturschutz/baumschutz • Ban on felling during the vegetation period www.berlin.de/umwelt/themen/natur-pflanzen-artenschutz/artik

The service can be used at the Umwelt- und Naturschutzamt (environment and nature conservation office) in whose district the location of the tree is situated.