Tree Protection in Mobile, AL

If you live in Mobile or are thinking about moving there, tree protection are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Mobile has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of tree protection, and some of them might surprise you.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Mobile designates certain live oaks and eight other species as protected 'heritage trees' once they reach 18 inches DBH (8 inches in historic districts), a status that triggers the city's tree permit requirements.

Key details: Live oak threshold: 18 inches DBH. Historic district threshold: 8 inches DBH. Permit required: Before trim, removal, or relocation. Issuer: City urban forester.

Damaging, cutting, or removing a designated heritage tree without a permit is 'tree abuse' under Sec. 65-10, punishable by up to a $500 fine, three months' jail, or community service.

Parkway Planting

New and redeveloped commercial parcels in Mobile's Peninsula and Africatown overlays must provide street trees along the lot frontage, spaced per an approved plant list, plus a 5-foot minimum sidewalk. The Spring Hill Overlay is more specific, requiring 30-foot on-center spacing, and a citywide rule sets frontage-tree ratios for every other district.

Key details: Peninsula/Africatown sidewalk width: 5 feet minimum. Peninsula/Africatown street trees: Spaced per approved plant list. Spring Hill street tree spacing: ~30 feet on-center. Citywide overstory tree ratio: 1 per 50 ft of frontage. Planting exclusion near ROW utilities: 10-foot clearance required.

Chapter 64's general enforcement article applies to unmet tree and streetscape conditions: under Sec. 64-7-1 the city may withhold or deny permits and plan approvals on a lot with an uncorrected violation, revoke an approval already granted, and stop work on the site. Sec. 64-7-2 requires written notice with a reasonable correction period before further action, except in an emergency threatening life, health, or safety. Violations are punished as general ordinance violations under Mobile City Code § 1-21: up to a $500 fine per offense, with each day the deficiency continues counted separately. A revoked approval may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment under Article 5's procedures.

Protected Tree Species

Mobile names eight specific species, hickory, longleaf pine, magnolia, oak (excluding water oak), river birch, sweet gum, sycamore, and yellow poplar, as protected 'heritage trees' once they reach the code's size threshold.

Key details: Species listed: 8 named species. DBH threshold: 18 in. (8 in. historic districts). Excluded: Water oak. Governing section: Sec. 65-2 definitions.

Removing or damaging a listed protected species without an urban forester permit is a Chapter 65 violation, carrying up to a $500 fine and up to three months' jail or community service.

The Bottom Line

Mobile'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 Mobile is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Mobile 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.