Clearwater vs Safety Harbor
How do heritage & protected trees rules compare between Clearwater, FL and Safety Harbor, FL?
Clearwater and Safety Harbor have similar restriction levels.
Clearwater, FL
Pinellas County
Clearwater designates specimen tree stands and protected trees that must be preserved to the maximum extent possible, with development flexibility granted to avoid removal of significant trees.
View full Clearwater rules →Safety Harbor, FL
Pinellas County
Safety Harbor adopted its Grand Tree Ordinance on December 20, 2021, granting heightened protection to qualifying heritage species at least 26 inches DBH that meet a species-specific point-scoring threshold.
View full Safety Harbor rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Clearwater | Safety Harbor |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Adopted | - | December 20, 2021 |
| Minimum DBH | - | 26 inches |
| Condition rating | - | 3.5 minimum |
| Live oak threshold | - | 145 qualifying points |
| Magnolia threshold | - | 120 qualifying points |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Clearwater FAQ
What counts as a specimen tree in Clearwater?
Specimen tree stands are groupings identified during development review for their species, size, or ecological value, and the code requires maximum preservation.
Can I prune a protected tree heavily?
No. Removing more than 30 percent of foliage in a single year is prohibited, and improper cuts such as flush or stub cuts violate the code.
Safety Harbor FAQ
What qualifies as a Grand Tree in Safety Harbor?
A qualifying species (live oak, magnolia, cypress, hickory, cedar, elm, or pine) with at least 26-inch DBH, condition rating 3.5 or better, and minimum point score on the city scoring matrix.
Can a Grand Tree ever be removed?
Only in narrow cases such as imminent hazard, fatal disease, or where required for permitted construction with no feasible alternative, and only with arborist review and replacement.
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