Tree Replacement Requirements: St. Petersburg vs Tarpon Springs
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between St. Petersburg, FL and Tarpon Springs, FL?
St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs have similar restriction levels.
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 →Tarpon Springs, FL
Pinellas County
When a protected tree is removed in Tarpon Springs, Article IX requires replacement on a one-DBH-inch-for-one-DBH-inch basis or payment of a fee in lieu, ensuring net canopy is preserved.
View full Tarpon Springs rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | St. Petersburg | Tarpon Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Mitigation method | Replanting or Tree Fund | - |
| Grand Tree fee | Up to $5,355 | - |
| Code reference | Sec. 16.40.060.5 | - |
| Approved species | City list required | Native or Florida-friendly |
| Replacement ratio | - | 1 DBH inch per inch removed |
| Fee in lieu | - | Allowed when site-limited |
| Code section | - | Article IX, Section 133 |
| Inspection | - | Building Development |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Tarpon Springs FAQ
How many trees must I replace in Tarpon Springs?
Replace one inch of DBH for each inch removed. A 12-inch tree might be replaced by four three-inch trees, or you can pay a fee into the city tree fund.
Where does the tree fee in lieu money go?
The fee is deposited into the city's tree fund and used to install and maintain trees on public property such as parks, rights-of-way, and city facilities.
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