Tree Protection in Alachua County, FL (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Alachua County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Alachua County's ULDC defines a heritage tree as any native species 20 inches dbh or larger (30 inches for laurel or water oaks) under Section 406.11, and Section 406.14 puts heritage and high-rated specimen trees third in the county's mandatory preservation priority order on development sites.
Heritage Tree Designation Rules in Alachua County
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code §§ 406.11(b)(4), 406.14(c)
(4)Tree, heritage: All native tree species twenty (20) inches dbh or greater, except for laurel or water oaks, which are heritage trees when measured at thirty (30) inches or greater in diameter. ... Development plans must preserve native trees that exhibit the characteristics listed below and prioritize them in the following order:(1)Champion trees(2)Landmark live oaks(3)Heritage and specimen ...
Protected Tree Species
Alachua County singles out specimen trees, species the county rates as notable for age, size, condition, historic habitat value or rarity, for case-by-case protection on unincorporated land, under Alachua County Code § 406.16.4(a). Champion, heritage and landmark live oak trees carry the strongest protection and get top priority in every development plan's tree-preservation hierarchy.
Specimen and Heritage Tree Protections, Alachua County
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 406.16.4(a)
(a)Specimen tree list. The list of trees identified in Table 406.16.5 includes specimen trees identified by the County to be of notable interest or high value for their species because of their age, size, condition, historic habitat association, and/or uniqueness. Protection of these species that are less than heritage size through preservation, relocation, or replacement will be determined on ...
Parkway Planting
New development in unincorporated Alachua County must plant street trees along both sides of streets and roads and in medians, spaced by a canopy-diameter formula, with trees placed between the street and sidewalk wherever space allows to protect pedestrians and calm traffic.
Street Tree Planting Standards in Alachua County
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 407.43.2(b)
Streetscapes.(1)Street trees shall be provided along both sides of streets and roads and in medians, consistent with Table 407.141.1.(2)Street trees shall be provided between the street and the sidewalk whenever space permits to protect pedestrians and calm traffic.(3)Street trees shall be provided within planting strips or sidewalk tree wells per the following:a.Tree species appropriate for us...
Tree Protection by City in Alachua County
1 cities in Alachua County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Alachua County ordinances
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