Tree Protection in Brookhaven, GA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Brookhaven, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
In the City of Brookhaven, Georgia, Section 14-52 protects specimen trees by size and species, charges recompense of $240.00 per DBH inch by one and one-half for removal outside the buildable area and $120.00 per DBH inch inside it, and sends any champion tree removal to a Board of Appeals variance hearing.
Specimen and Champion Trees in Brookhaven, Georgia
Significant RestrictionsBrookhaven Code § 14-52
(h)The specimen tree recompense fee is computed as follows:(1)Specimen trees outside the buildable limits and side setback (chapter 27, article II) area: Recompense fee = $240.00 per DBH inch by one and one-half.(2)Specimen trees inside the buildable limits and side setback (chapter 27, article II) area: Recompense fee = $120.00 per DBH inch. ... (i)Champion trees. As defined in section 14-50, ...
Protected Tree Species
In the City of Brookhaven, Georgia, the Section 14-52(a) specimen tree table sets a protection threshold by species group and trunk diameter, from 28 inches for most pines and 24 inches for oaks down to six inches for small understory species such as Sourwood and Sassafras.
Protected Tree Species and Sizes in Brookhaven, Georgia
Significant RestrictionsBrookhaven Code § 14-52(a)
(a)The specimen tree table is as follows: Pine Trees: 28-inch diameter or larger for trees in the Pine (Pinus) genus other than Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata) and Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana). ... Large and Medium Size Broadleaf Trees: a.) 30-inch diameter or larger for Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides). ... c.) 24-inch diameter or larger for all Oa...
Parkway Planting
In the City of Brookhaven, Georgia, Sec. 14-364 restricts street planting strips to trees on a list kept by the city arborist. The arborist also maintains spacing specifications and the appropriate planting time. Planting-strip trees cannot satisfy the front yard tree requirement, but they can fill remaining density tree requirements under the tree protection ordinance if the tree type rules for planting strips are met.
Brookhaven, GA Planting Strip Tree Rules
Some RestrictionsBrookhaven Code § 14-364
The city arborist shall maintain a list of trees that are appropriate for the planting strips, and no trees other than those on the list shall be placed in the planting strips. The city arborist shall also maintain specifications regarding spacing trees, and the appropriate time for planting. The trees may not count toward the fulfillment of the requirement to plant front yard trees but may ful...
Looking for DeKalb County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Brookhaven city rules.
Tree Protection in DeKalb County →