Tree Protection in Jacksonville, FL (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Jacksonville, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Jacksonville's zoning code singles out large hardwoods 24 inches DBH or greater as "exceptional specimen trees," stripping away most removal exemptions and requiring a permit and 1:1 replacement even where an ordinary protected tree would not.
Jacksonville Exceptional Specimen Tree Rules
Significant RestrictionsJacksonville Ordinance Code § 656.1203(bb)(3); enforcement §§ 656.1205(d), 656.1206(g), 656.1208
(bb)Protected tree includes all of the following:...(3)Exceptional specimen tree means any hardwood tree with a DBH of 24 inches or greater.
Protected Tree Species
Jacksonville exempts most pines and palms from tree protection but shields Live Oaks with extra-strict mitigation during development.
Jacksonville Protected Tree Species Rules
Some RestrictionsJacksonville City Charter § 25.02(a)
The term "protected tree" shall mean a tree with a circumference at breast height of three feet or more... a protected tree shall not include (a) any species of pine, other than the Long Leaf Pine (Pinus palustris), (b) any species of palm, other than the Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto), or (c) any tree currently identified as an invasive species, terrestrial weed or noxious weed by the Florida D...
Parkway Planting
Property owners in Jacksonville must get a Public Works permit before planting a tree, shrub, or planter in the street right-of-way between the sidewalk and curb, or face removal without notice.
Jacksonville Right-of-Way Tree Planting Permit
Significant RestrictionsJacksonville, FL Ordinance Code Sec. 746.104(b)
A property owner desiring to place or maintain a planter, plant, tree, shrub, bush, or mailbox which shall be located adjacent to his property on (i) a sidewalk, or (ii) public property between the sidewalk and curb, or (iii) upon any City right-of-way, shall apply in writing to the Director of Public Works for a permit for planting, or structure, placement on City right-of-way, on a form presc...