Tree Protection in Beaufort County, SC (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Beaufort County's Community Development Code protects "grand trees," exceptionally large trees of a given species such as 24-inch live oaks or 36-inch loblolly pines, on developed single-family lots, requiring a tree removal permit before one can be cut regardless of how long ago the house was built.
Beaufort County Grand Tree Protection Rule
Significant RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 5.11.100.F.1.a
A grand tree is an exceptionally large tree for its species that is healthy and worthy of protection. It represents an individual tree that contributes aesthetically to the region's visual "sense of place" and serves as a seed stock for future generations. An individual tree is considered a grand tree by the following size criteria:1)Live Oak (Quercus virginiana), Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), ...
Protected Tree Species
Beaufort County's Community Development Code defines a "specimen tree" by species and trunk diameter, from 4-inch dogwoods and magnolias to 16-inch live oaks and 24-inch trees of any other species, and requires a certified tree survey and Director review before any specimen tree can be cut on a development site.
Beaufort County Specimen Tree Protection Standard
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 5.11.100.B
A specimen tree is defined as follows:1.Understory trees - Dogwood, Redbud, and Southern Magnolia that are equal to or greater than a diameter of 4 inches (DBH).2.Overstory trees - American Holly, Bald Cypress, Black Cherry, Beech, Black Oak, Black Tupelo, Cedar, Hickory, Live Oak, Longleaf Pine, Palmetto, Pecan, Red Maple, Southern Red Oak, Sycamore, or Walnut that are equal to or greater than...
Parkway Planting
Street trees along Beaufort County roads must clear the curb and sidewalk by three to four feet depending on planting method, and thoroughfare buffers along collector and arterial roads require two to four overstory trees per 100 linear feet, under Community Development Code Sections 5.8.30.E and 5.8.50.
Beaufort County Street Tree Planting Standards
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 5.8.30.E.2.a
a.All planted trees shall maintain a minimum distance of four feet from the curb, sidewalk, and impervious pavement; except for:(1)Street Trees planted in a tree well or continuous planter, which may be sited a minimum distance of three feet from walkways, curbing, and other impervious pavements.(2)Street trees planted in a continuous swale, which may be sited a minimum distance of four feet fr...
All Beaufort County ordinances
See every category we cover for Beaufort County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Beaufort County Ordinance Hub →