Tree Removal Permits: Dunedin vs St. Petersburg
How do tree removal permits rules compare between Dunedin, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Dunedin and St. Petersburg have similar restriction levels.
Dunedin, FL
Pinellas County
Dunedin Land Development Code Chapter 105 requires a permit before cutting down, topping, poisoning, or otherwise destroying any protected tree, with applications processed by the Planning Department for a $25 fee.
View full Dunedin rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg requires a permit through Urban Forestry to remove protected trees under Section 16.40.060.5, with stricter rules for Grand Trees 30 inches DBH and larger.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Dunedin | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Code chapter | Chapter 105 (Land Dev. Code) | - |
| Application fee | $25 | - |
| Canopy threshold | More than 25% needs permit | - |
| Reviewer | Planning Department | - |
| Routine trim exemption | If no harm to tree | - |
| Code section | - | Sec. 16.40.060.5 |
| Grand Tree | - | 30+ inch DBH |
| Max penalty | - | Up to $6,855 per tree |
| State exemption | - | FS 163.045 (homestead) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Dunedin FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my own yard?
Yes. Dunedin requires a permit to remove any protected tree, regardless of property ownership. The application fee is $25 through Planning.
Is trimming exempt from the permit requirement?
Routine trimming of non-Grand trees is exempt if it does not mutilate, kill, or remove more than 25 percent of the canopy.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in St. Petersburg?
Yes, for any protected tree under Section 16.40.060.5. Homesteaded owners can use the Florida Statute 163.045 exemption only with a certified arborist's documented unacceptable-risk finding.
What happens if I remove a Grand Tree without a permit in St. Pete?
Combined after-the-fact permit fees, payment-in-lieu of replanting, and code fines can reach approximately $6,855 for a single 30-inch Grand Tree on residential property.
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