Tree Protection in Citrus County, FL (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Citrus County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Citrus County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Trees measuring more than 24 inches in diameter at breast height are designated 'Specimen Trees' under Citrus County's Land Development Code and get extra protection beyond the standard tree-removal permit. Developers and subdividers must preserve specimen trees where possible or pay mitigation, and the rule reaches unincorporated Citrus County only.

Citrus County Specimen Tree Protection Rules

Some Restrictions

Citrus County LDC §§ 5705, 5730, 5750 (Ch. Five, Ord. 2025-A04)

B. Trees of over 24 inches dbh shall be designated ‘Specimen Trees’ and given special standards for protection. 5730. SUBDIVISION STANDARDS C. ‘Specimen’ trees shall be preserved and protected. If this provision cannot be met, mitigation requirements shall be met consisting of reforestation with an equal number of tree diameter inches, or a payment of one tree credit per four inches of dbh remo...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Protected Tree Species

Citrus County's Land Development Code bars destroying endangered, threatened, or special-concern species habitat during development unless state or federal wildlife agencies authorize it. Section 3560 forces nonresidential projects over five acres and platted residential projects on native vegetative land to submit a professionally prepared biological survey to the Growth Management Department before any clearing.

Citrus County Endangered Species Habitat Protection Rule

Some Restrictions

Citrus County Land Development Code § 3560 (Endangered and Threatened Species Habitat Protection, Chapter Three - Use Standards, Ord. 2026-A16)

A. All nonresidential development in excess of five acres via the site development plan and new residential development via the platting process when planned on land possessing native vegetative communities and wildlife habitat are subject to the standards of this section. B. Developments meeting the criteria of Section 3560. A. of this LDC shall be required to provide three copies of a profess...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parkway Planting

Citrus County's Land Development Code sets street tree planting standards for any parcel approved as a Town Center Plan Overlay, a planned-unit-development option for unincorporated commercial nodes. Trees must stand at least 20 feet apart, with 30 to 40 feet preferred, and go into a tree well at least 4 feet by 4 feet by 3.5 feet deep or a planter strip at least 5 feet wide. The rule governs unincorporated county land only, not Crystal River or Inverness.

Citrus County Street Tree Spacing Rules

Some Restrictions

Citrus County, FL Land Development Code § 3409(B) (Street Trees), Chapter Three - Use Standards

B. Street Trees. 1. Spacing. Street trees shall not be spaced less than 20 feet apart. Preferred spacing is 30 to 40 feet. Consideration shall be made for driveways, street light, utility poles, underground utilities, traffic light poles and other obstructions. Consideration shall also be made for future placement of trees in front of adjacent properties. 2. Street trees shall be planted in tre...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Citrus County ordinances

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