Heritage & Protected Trees: Miami Beach vs Miami
How do heritage & protected trees rules compare between Miami Beach, FL and Miami, FL?
Miami Beach and Miami have similar restriction levels.
Miami Beach, FL
Miami-Dade County
Miami Beach has a Heritage Tree program administered by Urban Forestry. Property owners can apply to designate exceptional trees as Heritage Trees through the Heritage Tree Permit Application. Heritage Trees receive the highest level of protection and cannot be removed except under extreme circumstances.
View full Miami Beach rules →Miami, FL
Miami-Dade County
Miami protects all trees on private property 4+ inch DBH under City Code Chapter 17 and overlays Miami-Dade County Specimen Tree rules for trees 18+ inch DBH or designated species (live oak, mahogany, gumbo limbo). Removal requires a tree-removal permit, replacement plantings, and county review for Specimen Trees.
View full Miami rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Miami Beach | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Designation | Heritage Tree Permit Application | - |
| Definition | Largest of species in state/nation | - |
| Protection Level | Highest under city code | - |
| Administered By | Urban Forestry Division | - |
| Contact | urbanforestry@miamibeachfl.gov | - |
| City DBH threshold | - | 4-inch DBH triggers permit |
| County Specimen Tree | - | 18-inch DBH or designated species |
| Protected species | - | Live oak, mahogany, gumbo limbo, native palms |
| Replacement | - | 2-inch caliper minimum, ratio by canopy lost |
| In-lieu fee | - | Tree Trust Fund payment alternative |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Miami Beach FAQ
How do I get a tree designated as a Heritage Tree in Miami Beach?
Submit a Heritage Tree Permit Application through the Urban Forestry division. Contact urbanforestry@miamibeachfl.gov for the application form and criteria.
Can a Heritage Tree ever be removed?
Only under extraordinary circumstances with extensive review. Heritage Trees receive the highest protection level. Removal requires extraordinary justification and carries the severest penalties for unauthorized action.
What types of trees qualify as Heritage Trees?
Trees that are the largest of their species within Florida or nationally, as defined by the Florida Division of Forestry or American Forestry Association. Specimen live oaks, gumbo limbo, and tropical hardwoods are common candidates.
Miami FAQ
Can I cut a tree on my own Miami lot?
Not if it has a 4-inch DBH or larger. Miami requires a tree-removal permit for nearly every mature tree, and 18-inch DBH (or native species) trees also need Miami-Dade County Specimen Tree review.
Is a live oak always protected?
Yes. Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) is a designated Specimen species under Miami-Dade Code §24-49 at any size and cannot be removed without both city and county approval and substantial mitigation.
What about palms?
Palms with 8 feet of clear trunk or more require a permit. Several native palms (royal, sabal, paurotis) are Specimen species regardless of height.
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