Tree work rules in Virginia

Virginia has no arborist license. The Board for Contractors' Landscape Service Contracting specialty covers clearing and removing stumps and roots below grade, not tree trimming as such.¹

Virginia localities may regulate trees only as state law enables: canopy replacement or conservation during development, and designated heritage, specimen, memorial and street trees. The law on designated trees excludes minor home landscaping.^2-4

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.

Virginia's Overhead High Voltage Line Safety Act keeps people and tools 10 feet from lines over 600 volts. The owner or operator has to be notified and agreed safety arrangements completed first, and the operator starts within 5 working days.⁵

Virginia's one-call law doesn't name stumps, and it defines excavation to include moving or removing any mass of material with any tool. Virginia 811's homeowner page names removing stumps and says to contact it at least 3 working days before breaking ground.^6-7

Spraying or treating trees for hire needs commercial applicator certification from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services plus a pesticide business license. The category is 3A Ornamental pest control, and 3B is turf.^8-9