Tree Protection in Tampa, FL (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Tampa, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Tampa's urban forestry code recognizes 'grand' trees, twenty-three native and non-native species listed in Table 284.1.2, including Southern Live Oak, Southern Magnolia, and Longleaf Pine, as a protected class above ordinary 'protected' trees. Removing a grand tree triggers the heaviest permit review and mitigation obligations under Sec. 27-284.2.5 and 27-284.4, and the natural resources coordinator can add species with similar characteristics.
Tampa Grand Tree Protection Standards
Significant RestrictionsTampa City Code § 27-284.1.2
(a)Protected trees. Any tree species that meets the definition set forth in section 27-43 of the City Code is deemed a "protected" tree.(b)Specimen trees. Any tree species that meets the definition set forth in section 27-43 and is listed in Table 284.1.2 below is deemed a "specimen" tree. A specimen tree is a protected tree.(b)Grand trees. Any tree species, which meets the definition set forth...
Protected Tree Species
Tampa classifies trees by trunk diameter: any non-exempt species 5+ inches DBH is 'protected,' 24+ inches is a 'specimen' tree, and 32+ inches (or any state-designated Champion/Challenger tree) is a 'grand' tree, the code's highest protection tier, defined in Section 27-43.
Tampa Grand & Protected Tree DBH Rules
Significant RestrictionsSec. 27-43; Sec. 27-284.2.5(c), Tampa, FL Code of Ordinances
Protected tree: Any mitigation tree; any mangrove species; any cypress species; and, any non-"exempt" tree species that measures five (5) inches or greater DBH. ... Specimen tree: A species of tree and its root system, with crown spread, and DBH of at least twenty-four (24) inches, which are of the identity, size, and character set forth in section 27-284.1.2. ... Grand tree: A species of tree ...
Parkway Planting
Tampa Code Sec. 22-312 bars anyone from planting or removing trees or shrubs in the parkway strip between the sidewalk and street curb without first getting parks department approval. The rule protects the public right-of-way strip citywide, not just in designated districts.
Parkway Tree Planting Rules in Tampa
Some RestrictionsTampa, FL Code of Ordinances § 22-312
No planting of trees or shrubs shall be done in the parkways lying between the sidewalk area and the street curbing on the several streets in the city nor shall any trees or shrubs be removed from such parkways unless first approved by the parks department.
Looking for Hillsborough County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tampa city rules.
Tree Protection in Hillsborough County →