Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Clearwater vs St. Petersburg
How do tree removal & heritage trees rules compare between Clearwater, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Clearwater and St. Petersburg have similar restriction levels.
Clearwater, FL
Pinellas County
Clearwater requires a removal permit for any protected tree four inches DBH or greater and for palms with ten-foot clear straight trunks, with replacement plantings mandatory within 90 days and removal of specimen or historic trees prohibited.
View full Clearwater rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg requires a permit to remove protected trees under Section 16.40.060, with penalties up to $6,855 for unauthorized removal of a Grand Tree on residential property.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Clearwater | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Code section | - | Sec. 16.40.060 |
| Protected size | - | 4 inches DBH |
| Exemption | - | FS 163.045 with arborist letter |
| Grand Tree fine | - | Up to $6,855 |
| Mitigation | - | Replant or Tree Trust Fund |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Clearwater FAQ
How do I get a tree removal permit in Clearwater?
Submit a written application with required fee and any necessary site plan or arborist inventory to the Community Development Coordinator under CDC Section 4-1202.
Can I remove a dead or hazardous tree without a permit?
Hazardous trees still typically require documentation from an ISA-certified arborist or licensed landscape architect confirming the danger before removal proceeds.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Can I remove a tree under Florida's homeowner law in St. Pete?
Only if a Florida-licensed landscape architect or ISA-certified arborist documents in writing that the tree presents an unacceptable risk under ANSI BMP standards before removal.
What happens if I remove a tree without a St. Petersburg permit?
Urban Forestry assesses an after-the-fact permit fee, replacement requirements, and fines based on tree size. A Grand Tree removal can total nearly $7,000 in charges.
Compare other topics
See how Clearwater and St. Petersburg compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool