Tree Protection in Fort Myers, FL (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Fort Myers, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Fort Myers requires developers to make every reasonable effort to preserve heritage trees, native species like Live Oak or Bald Cypress with a trunk 20 inches or more in diameter, before removal is considered.
Fort Myers Heritage Tree Preservation Rule
Some RestrictionsFort Myers Land Development Code § 138-3
Heritage trees. Effort must be made to preserve a heritage tree - a large, native species, such as Live Oak, South Florida Slash or Longleaf Pine, Bald Cypress, etc., that has a twenty inch or greater diameter at breast height (20″ DBH). Removal may be considered by the owner or developer after all reasonable options have been investigated by the owner or developer to preserve a heritage tree i...
Protected Tree Species
Fort Myers prohibits planting or installing any Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Category 1 invasive species and requires developed sites to stay free of them permanently, while waiving the tree-removal permit fee for removing those same species.
Fort Myers Bans Category 1 Invasive Trees
Heavy RestrictionsFort Myers Land Development Code § 138-76
The use or installation of any plant species as identified in the most recent edition of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's Invasive Plant List as a Category 1 invasive plant species shall be prohibited. After development, the site must be maintained in perpetuity, free from prohibited nuisance species defined herein.
Parkway Planting
Owners on 24 named Fort Myers corridors, from McGregor Boulevard to Colonial Boulevard, must plant assigned street tree species at set spacing and replace dead trees within 30 days of city notice.
Fort Myers Street Tree Planting Rules
Heavy RestrictionsFort Myers Land Development Code § 138-72
Owners of property fronting any thoroughfare listed below shall plant street trees on such property at the time this property is developed or earlier. Each property owner must maintain these trees and replace these trees if they die within thirty (30) days of receiving notice issued by the City. Trees shall be planted in accordance with these requirements in the manner assigned.(c)The trees sha...
Looking for Lee County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Myers city rules.
Tree Protection in Lee County →