Tree work rules in Rhode Island
What the state says about tree work, with the page each rule comes from. It's a summary of the published rules, not legal advice, and your city or county can have rules of its own.
Checked September 23, 2026
Licensing
Rhode Island licenses tree work through the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment. Everyone practicing arboriculture must hold a Licensed Arborist license, either Standard or Limited Utility for line clearance.1
Tree removal permits
Ask your city or county government whether removing a tree needs a permit where you live.
Trees near power lines
If a tree is touching the power line to your house, keep clear and call your utility first. Clearing the line is the utility's job, and a tree company can't start until it's done.
In Rhode Island the federal OSHA rule is the one that applies to work near power lines. The state's law on lines of 69,000 volts or more only covers siting board rules for building them.2-3
811 and stump work
Spraying and treating trees
Spraying or treating trees on others' land needs a commercial applicator license from the Rhode Island DEM for general use pesticides, or a certificate for restricted use ones. The category is 3A Shade Tree (Arborist).5
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Sources
What tree work costs in Rhode Island
Published national ranges for removal, trimming, stump grinding and arborist visits, and a planning estimate for your own job.
Companies in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 271 tree service companies listed, and 65 of them hold an active USDOT registration. Browse them by county, or ask for quotes and we'll pass your job to companies near you.
Cite this page
“Tree work rules in Rhode Island.” InspecTree, updated September 26, 2026. https://inspectree.com/ri/rules/