Clearwater vs Pinellas Park
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between Clearwater, FL and Pinellas Park, FL?
Clearwater and Pinellas Park have similar restriction levels.
Clearwater, FL
Pinellas County
Clearwater requires replacement trees of similar species and size when a permitted protected tree is removed, with planting expected within a short window after removal to maintain canopy.
View full Clearwater rules →Pinellas Park, FL
Pinellas County
When removing protected trees, Pinellas Park requires replacement plantings under Section 18-408. Property owners must replace removed inches with new trees from the city's approved species list or pay into the tree mitigation fund.
View full Pinellas Park rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Clearwater | Pinellas Park |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Code reference | - | LDC Sec. 18-408 |
| Replacement basis | - | Inch-for-inch DBH |
| Preferred species | - | Florida natives |
| Fee in lieu | - | Tree mitigation fund payment |
| Invalid replacements | - | Invasive species ineligible |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Clearwater FAQ
How many replacement trees do I have to plant?
Replacement is calibrated to the size and species of the tree removed; staff calculate the obligation when issuing the permit, often one-for-one for residential removals.
What if my lot has no room for a replacement tree?
Clearwater may approve off-site planting or a fee-in-lieu contribution to the city tree fund when on-site replacement is impractical.
Pinellas Park FAQ
How many trees must I plant after removal?
Replacement is calculated on an inch-for-inch DBH basis. Removing one 12-inch protected tree typically requires planting trees totaling 12 inches DBH using approved species.
Can I pay a fee instead of replanting?
Yes. When site constraints prevent on-site replacement, Pinellas Park allows a payment in lieu to the tree mitigation fund, used for public tree planting.
What species qualify as replacement trees?
Approved species emphasize Florida natives like live oak, southern magnolia, bald cypress, and slash pine. Invasive species are never eligible as replacements.
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