Tree Replacement Requirements: Seminole vs St. Petersburg
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between Seminole, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Seminole and St. Petersburg have similar restriction levels.
Seminole, FL
Pinellas County
When trees are removed in Seminole, owners must replace them on site with approved species at minimum size and quantity, or pay into the city's tree mitigation fund when replanting is infeasible.
View full Seminole rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg requires replacement caliper inches or Tree Fund payment-in-lieu when permitted protected tree removals occur, with steeper mitigation owed for Grand Trees.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Seminole | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement basis | Inches of DBH removed | - |
| Approved species | Florida-friendly and native | City list required |
| In-lieu fund | Available when infeasible | - |
| Warranty | 1-2 year survival | - |
| Mitigation method | - | Replanting or Tree Fund |
| Grand Tree fee | - | Up to $5,355 |
| Code reference | - | Sec. 16.40.060.5 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Seminole FAQ
Do I have to plant a new tree if I remove one in Seminole?
Yes, in most cases. Permitted tree removals require equivalent inches of replacement DBH planted on site, or payment into the city tree mitigation fund when replanting is not feasible.
Can I plant any species as a replacement tree in Seminole?
No. Replacement trees must come from the city's approved Florida-friendly and native species list, meet minimum size standards, and be installed per ANSI planting specifications to qualify for credit.
St. Petersburg FAQ
How many trees do I have to replant in St. Petersburg?
Replacement is calculated by caliper inches, scaled to the removed tree's DBH. Larger trees, especially Grand Trees, require multiple replacement trees or substantial Tree Fund payments.
Can I pay a fee instead of replanting in St. Pete?
Yes. When on-site replanting is impractical, you can deposit payment-in-lieu into the City Tree Fund. Fees scale with diameter and can exceed $5,000 for a single Grand Tree.
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