There are no permits. For the most part the towns don't care. Enforcement cost money and brings in no tax dollars. McMansions bring in lots of tax dollars.
OK if you clearcut your lot you can end up in trouble. But there are so many holes in this law it's almost useless. You can cut all the trees by the lake and leave the trees in the back of the lot and you are legal.
Who is going to keep records of tree removal for decades? Twenty years from now how will anybody prove I took down a tree? Plans will be "lost" or changed.
The rich will still do what they want and pay the fine if they are caught.
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