Heritage & Protected Trees: Lawrenceville vs Snellville
How do heritage & protected trees rules compare between Lawrenceville, GA and Snellville, GA?
Lawrenceville and Snellville have similar restriction levels.
Lawrenceville, GA
Gwinnett County
Heritage and specimen trees protected by Lawrenceville's tree ordinance. Removal requires arborist review and supermajority justification (disease, safety, or unreasonable hardship).
View full Lawrenceville rules →Snellville, GA
Gwinnett County
Snellville tree ordinance recognizes specimen/heritage trees (typically hardwoods 24+ inch DBH) with enhanced protection. Removal requires city arborist review and significantly more replacement.
View full Snellville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lawrenceville | Snellville |
|---|---|---|
| Specimen Size | 27"+ hardwood / 30"+ pine DBH | - |
| Review | City arborist / planning director | City arborist required |
| Removal | Only for cause | - |
| Penalty | 3:1 replacement + $1,000/tree | $1,000+ per tree |
| Development | Design around specimens | - |
| Specimen DBH | - | 24 inches typical |
| Replacement | - | 2:1 or higher |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lawrenceville FAQ
What qualifies as a heritage tree in Lawrenceville?
Large specimens exceeding the DBH thresholds or trees designated for historic/cultural significance by the city.
What's the penalty for cutting a specimen tree without approval?
3:1 replacement planting plus roughly $1,000 per tree in fines, on top of any stop-work or restoration orders from Planning.
What size tree qualifies as a specimen in Lawrenceville?
Typically hardwoods 27 inches DBH or larger and pines 30 inches DBH or larger. The city arborist or planning director makes the final call.
Snellville FAQ
What qualifies as a specimen tree?
Typically hardwoods 24 inches DBH or greater, or exceptional specimens of protected species. Verify with Snellville Planning.
Can I remove a dying specimen tree?
Only with city arborist confirmation of hazard or disease. Document with photos and ISA-certified arborist report.
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