Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Florida?

The answer depends on where you live. Florida has no single statewide tree removal permit — tree protection is regulated at the local level by cities and counties, and the rules vary dramatically from one jurisdiction to the next. In some counties, you can remove most trees on your property without any permit. In others, removing a single large oak without permission can result in fines and mandatory replanting. Understanding the rules before you cut is the only way to avoid costly mistakes.

Does Florida Have a Statewide Tree Removal Permit?

No. Florida does not require a statewide building permit to remove a tree on private residential property. However, the Florida Building Code and various environmental statutes give local governments broad authority to regulate tree removal — and most Florida counties and cities exercise that authority aggressively.

What this means in practice: the rules that apply to your property are set by your city or county, not by the state. A homeowner in unincorporated Hillsborough County faces completely different rules than a homeowner in the City of Tampa, even though those properties may be just a few blocks apart. Always check with your specific local building or environmental department before removing a significant tree.

What Is Florida's Dangerous Tree Exemption Under FS 163.045?

Florida Statute 163.045 is the single most important tree removal law in the state. It preempts — overrides — every local government's tree ordinance when a tree on residential property is deemed dangerous. Under FS 163.045, no Florida city or county can require a permit, application, fee, mitigation, or replacement planting for trimming or removing a tree on residential property if the owner has documentation that the tree presents an unacceptable risk to persons or property.

To qualify for this exemption, you must obtain a written report from one of two qualified professionals:

• An ISA-certified arborist (International Society of Arboriculture) with at least five years of experience
• A Florida-licensed landscape architect

The report must follow the Tree Risk Assessment Best Management Practices, Second Edition (2017) — a standardized methodology that evaluates the likelihood of tree failure and the consequences of that failure. A general statement that a tree "looks sick" or "leans toward the house" is not sufficient. The report must use the BMP framework and conclude that the tree presents an unacceptable risk.

If those conditions are met, your local government cannot stop or delay the removal, regardless of the tree's size, species, or heritage status. The exemption applies to single-family residential lots throughout Florida. Commercial properties remain subject to local rules.

Which Florida Counties Have Strict Tree Removal Rules?

While every county is different, here are rules from several major Florida counties to illustrate the range of regulations you may encounter:

• Pinellas County: As of January 23, 2026, Pinellas County updated its tree ordinance significantly. On homesteaded, actively occupied single-family residential properties, only trees with a trunk diameter greater than 24 inches at breast height (DBH) are considered protected and require a permit to remove. For non-homesteaded and other property types, trees with a trunk of 4 inches or more, and palms taller than 6 feet, require a permit.
• Hillsborough County: Tree removal in unincorporated Hillsborough County is managed by the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (EPC). The county protects significant oaks and other hardwoods, with an expedited review process for oaks measuring 34 inches DBH or larger.
• Miami-Dade County: Miami-Dade requires a permit to remove any tree with a trunk diameter of 5 inches or more, measured at 4.5 feet above ground. The county also has a separate process for heritage trees — especially large, old specimens — which may require public notice.
• Pasco County: Pasco County regulates tree removal through its Land Development Code. Protected trees — primarily grand trees and specimen trees — require a tree removal permit, and mitigation through replacement planting or payment into a tree fund may be required.
• Orange County: Orange County and the City of Orlando have separate ordinances. Orlando protects "heritage trees" — typically trees of specific species measuring 30 inches DBH or more — and removal applications for these trees may require a public hearing.

Cities within these counties may have even stricter rules. If you live in an incorporated city (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Orlando, etc.), check with the city's planning or urban forestry department — city rules govern over county rules within city limits.

What Types of Trees Are Typically Protected in Florida?

Florida county tree ordinances most commonly protect:

• Native hardwoods: Live oak, laurel oak, sand live oak, bald cypress, and slash pine are protected under many county ordinances.
• Large specimen trees: Trees above a specific DBH threshold — commonly 10 to 24 inches — are considered "grand trees" or "specimen trees" and receive heightened protection.
• Heritage trees: Trees of special historical, ecological, or cultural significance may have their own designation that triggers additional requirements before removal.

Trees that are typically not protected (or easier to remove) include invasive exotic species such as Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, melaleuca, and kudzu. Many counties actively encourage removal of these invasive species and waive permit requirements for them. Check your county's list of exempted invasive species before spending money on a tree removal permit application for a tree your county would rather see gone.

How Much Does a Tree Removal Permit Cost in Florida?

Tree removal permit fees in Florida vary widely by county and by the size and type of tree involved. Typical ranges:

• Standard residential tree permit: $50–$200 in most counties for a single protected tree
• Large or heritage tree permit: $150–$500+, and some counties require a certified arborist report to accompany the application
• Mitigation fees: When you remove a protected tree that cannot be replaced on-site, many counties charge into a tree bank or require payment of an in-lieu fee, which can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the size of the tree removed

The ISA-certified arborist report required for a FS 163.045 dangerous tree exemption typically costs $150–$400 for a single tree assessment. This is money well spent if the alternative is paying a permit fee, mitigation fees, and waiting weeks for approval. For a broader look at Florida permit costs by project type, see our complete Florida building permit costs guide.

What Happens If You Remove a Protected Tree Without a Permit?

Removing a protected tree without a permit in Florida can result in serious consequences:

• Fines: Fines for unauthorized tree removal typically range from $500 to $5,000 per tree in most Florida counties, with larger penalties for heritage trees or egregious violations.
• Mandatory replacement: Counties commonly require you to replace removed trees at a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 (replacement trees per removed tree), at your expense. If your lot can't accommodate replacement trees, you pay into the county's tree bank.
• Stop-work orders: If you're caught mid-removal, the county can issue a stop-work order and require you to preserve any remaining trees until the violation is resolved.
• Difficulty selling your home: An unpermitted tree removal can surface during the buyer's due diligence — especially if neighbors complained to code enforcement — and create complications at closing.

For a full breakdown of what happens when permits are skipped in Florida, read our guide on what happens if you build without a permit in Florida. Many of the same principles apply to unpermitted tree removal.

Do HOA Rules Apply to Tree Removal in Florida?

Yes, and they operate independently of county permits. Many Florida HOAs have their own tree and landscaping rules that restrict what you can remove, require architectural committee approval before any significant landscaping changes, and mandate replacement planting. Getting a county tree removal permit does not override HOA restrictions, and ignoring HOA rules can result in fines and forced replacement at your expense.

If your property is in an HOA, submit your tree removal request to the HOA architectural review committee before hiring a tree company. Most HOA approval processes take 30 to 60 days, and proceeding without approval — even with a valid county permit — puts you in violation of your HOA covenants.

Not sure what rules apply to your property? — Tell us about your project and we'll help you navigate the permit and approval process in your county.