With the exception of the exemptions set forth in § 215-167 and subject to the provisions of § 215-167, no tree shall be cut or otherwise removed from any lands in the City, including the right-of-way of any street or easement, without a tree removal permit. All applications to the City for approval of a major subdivision, minor subdivision, or any site plan requiring tree removal, unless otherwise exempt pursuant to this article, shall include an application for a tree removal and protection permit. All applications for tree removal and protection permits, whether in conjunction with major or minor subdivisions, site plan applications, or otherwise, shall be made to the Zoning Officer of the City of Northfield for referral to the approving agency. No tree that was planted or preserved as part of any landscape plan or in accordance with any street requirements approved in conjunction with a subdivision or site plan shall be removed, except for such trees directed to be removed pursuant to § 215-167A(6), (7) and B below.

Individual commercial lots not subject to a development application may be cleared up to 20% of the lot area, within the allowable building envelope. Up to three trees within the building setback areas as outlined in this chapter can also be removed in any two-year period.

However, clearing of the property that is carried out pursuant to this article and which is not part of an application for subdivision or site plan, shall preclude said property from being the subject of a development application for a period of two years from the date of clearing so as to discourage "pre-clearing" of property and circumventing the provisions of this article. Unless the owner of a property which has been cleared in excess of the limitations set forth in this article notifies the City Zoning Officer in writing at least two years in advance of becoming an applicant for development of any kind on the property in question, such failure to provide adequate notice of clearing at least two years prior to becoming an applicant will be grounds for the City Construction Office or Planning/Zoning Board to find any application for construction or development incomplete. Such adequate notice shall be sent by certified mail at any time. However, any application for construction or land development will not be deemed complete until two years after adequate notice has been provided.