How Miami Handles Tree Protection: A Practical Guide
Miami maintains 151 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with tree protection. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Miami falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Parkway Planting
Miami 21 sets minimum size, spacing, and placement rules for street trees planted in the public swale along every roadway in the city.
Key details: Max spacing: 30 feet on center. Min caliper at planting: 3 inches. Min overall height: 15 feet. Clear trunk height: 4 feet. Banned street tree palm: Queen Palm.
Removing or damaging a street tree without a Chapter 17 tree removal permit, or planting non-compliant stock (undersized caliper, wrong spacing, banned species like Queen Palm), draws code enforcement action; development landscape plans that don't meet Article 9's street tree standards are rejected at permitting.
Protected Tree Species
Miami classifies any tree 18 inches DBH or larger as a protected "specimen tree," forcing applicants to try redesigning around it or relocating it before the city will approve removal.
Key details: Specimen tree size: 18 inches DBH or larger. Permit needed: for any tree activity citywide. Prohibited species: removable, no replacement required. Unpermitted removal fine: $1,000/tree (non-homestead). Enforcement: City of Miami Code Compliance.
Tree activity without a valid permit or any tree abuse draws a $1,000 fine per tree for non-homestead properties and $500 per tree for homestead properties under § 17-10(a), plus mandatory replacement trees at double the standard chart rate; a repeat violation within five years triggers referral to the code enforcement board and up to $5,000 per day under Fla. Stat. § 162.09.
Heritage & Protected Trees
Miami singles out "specimen trees", 18 inches DBH or larger, for extra protection: the city can require project redesigns, on- or off-site relocation, or costly replacement before one may be removed.
Key details: Specimen tree threshold: 18 inches DBH or larger. Permit needed: for any tree activity. Removal fine: $1,000/tree (non-homestead). Repeat violation: up to $5,000/day. Appeal body: Historic & Environmental Preservation Board.
Removing or abusing a specimen tree without a permit draws a $1,000 fine per tree (non-homestead) or $500 (homestead) plus mandatory replacement trees, and repeat violations within five years escalate to $5,000/day under F.S. § 162.09 before the code enforcement board.
Compared to other cities, Miami takes a harder line on heritage & protected trees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
The Bottom Line
Miami's tree protection rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Miami is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Miami can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.