District 12
Hegyvidék, District XII
Tree removal rulesEvery tree with a trunk thicker than 10 cm needs a permit, fruit trees included
On the local page we have collected what the regulations say about:
- Tree removal
- Noisy garden work
- Green waste
Hegyvidék, District XII
Tree removal and gardening in District 12
Tree removal, pruning, landscaping or garden care in District 12, from Svábhegy to Zugliget, is rarely straightforward, because in Hegyvidék's large, sloping gardens the old trees are often the oldest residents of the house. With trees like these, we think about saving them first and only then reach for the saw. Most of our work happens in District 17, yet we're always glad to come up to Hegyvidék.
Budapest and surroundingsFree site visitCall-back within one working day
Steep villa gardens in Hegyvidék
District 12 is Budapest's hilly, forest-fringed district, where on Svábhegy and in Zugliget, Farkasrét, Németvölgy and Istenhegy the gardens of villas, small apartment buildings and family homes climb up plots that are often steep, with decades-old pines and broadleaved trees.
Common jobs here are pruning trees that have grown too big and safely felling those leaning over the house, but landscaping a sloping plot and keeping the lawn and irrigation in order often come up too. A tree standing in a tight spot on a slope is taken down in pieces using rope-access techniques, and if you'd like, we'll plant a new tree in its place.
Neighbourhoods Budakeszierdő, Csillebérc, Farkasrét, Farkasvölgy, Istenhegy, Jánoshegy, Kissvábhegy, Krisztinaváros, Kútvölgy, Magasút, Mártonhegy, Németvölgy, Orbánhegy, Sashegy, Svábhegy, Széchenyihegy, Virányos, Zugliget
Garden work in District 12
Tree removalDangerous trees too, with rope access and removal→Tree pruningWhen the tree can still be saved→Stump grindingSo that lawn or a new tree can take its place→Lawn mowingOne-off or regular→Garden maintenanceMonthly care all year round→Hedge trimmingShaping and renovation, clippings taken away→Land clearingOvergrown gardens and plots brought back→Garden designDesign, levelling, paths and planting beds→Turf layingWith soil preparation and the first watering→Irrigation systemInstallation, autumn winterisation, spring start-up→
Before and after
An overgrown garden and the same garden put in order. Drag the slider to compare the two.
BeforeAfterTightening tree removal rules in Hegyvidék
In Hegyvidék, tree removal has been governed since 10 May 2026 by Decree 7/2026. (V. 8.). In a private garden, any tree with a trunk thicker than 10 cm needs a permit from the district clerk (jegyző), and since 1 September 2026 this applies to fruit trees as well, while thinner trees and trees of invasive species can be felled without a permit or notification.
To protect birds, since 1 July 2026 trees may not be felled or cut back hard during the nesting season, that is, between 1 March and 31 August, unless it is urgently needed to protect life, physical safety or property. A dangerous or dead tree can be felled without a permit, but this must be reported within 8 days afterwards.
Tree felling permits in Budapest, district by district →
Source 7/2026. (V. 8.) önkormányzati rendelet a fás szárú növények védelméről, Nemzeti Jogszabálytár We reviewed this rule in November 2026. Regulations can change, so we check it again at the site visit.
- Every tree with a trunk thicker than 10 cm needs a permit, fruit trees included
- No felling or hard cutting back between 1 March and 31 August
- For a dangerous or dead tree, reporting the felling within 8 days is enough
- A felled tree must be replaced within one year
When is mowing allowed in Hegyvidék?
District 12's noise control decree (33/2008.) even protects the weekend midday break. Machine mowing, tree felling and garden tractor work are permitted on working days between 7:00 and 20:00, and on Saturdays and rest days between 9:00 and 12:00 and again between 15:00 and 18:00, but not at all on Sundays and public holidays.
Source 33/2008. (XII. 18.) önkormányzati rendelet a zajvédelem helyi szabályozásáról, Nemzeti Jogszabálytár We reviewed this rule in November 2026. Regulations can change, so we check it again at the site visit.
- From 7:00 until 20:00 on working days
- Saturdays 9:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 18:00
- Not on Sundays and public holidays
Garden green waste in Hegyvidék
In Hegyvidék, MOHU collects garden green waste on Fridays between 2 March and 11 December 2026. Besides the printed bags, it also takes branches up to 10 cm thick that are cut to a metre and tied up, but not thicker branches or tree trunks; after a felling, you can have us take those away.
Source Kerti zöldhulladék körzetek, XII. kerület, MOHU · Kerti zöldhulladék-gyűjtés, MOHU We reviewed this rule in November 2026. Regulations can change, so we check it again at the site visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a permit required to fell a tree in Hegyvidék?
Yes, if the trunk is thicker than 10 cm measured 1 metre above the ground, and since 1 September 2026 this applies to fruit trees too. The permit is issued by the district clerk, and depending on the reason, the application must include a horticultural expert's opinion or a plan. At the site visit we measure the tree and check its condition, so you'll know whether a permit is needed.
Is summer tree felling allowed in Hegyvidék?
No. Between 1 March and 31 August, the birds' nesting season, the decree doesn't allow felling or hard cutting back, unless immediate action is needed to protect life or property. Trees can be felled between 1 September and the end of February.
Can I mow the lawn at midday on a Saturday in Hegyvidék?
No. On Saturdays there's a break between 12:00 and 15:00, and the mower may only run from 9:00 to 12:00 and again from 15:00 to 18:00. On Sundays and public holidays, mowing isn't allowed at all.
Do you work in the steep gardens of Svábhegy?
Yes, we come up to Svábhegy, Zugliget and the rest of Hegyvidék, even to the steepest gardens. The survey is free of charge, and we'll be back in touch within one working day.
Site visit in District 12
Tell us what the problem is with your garden or tree, and we will call you back within one working day. A site visit in District 12 is free too. You can write to us in English.
Quicker by phone? Call us on +36 20 944 3464.
Where else do we work?
The map shows where we are at home and which districts and towns we visit regularly. Pick any of them and we will show you what is worth knowing there about tree removal and garden work.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors
For example: Rákoshegy, Pécel, Zugló
