3 rules for unincorporated Dorchester County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Dorchester County requires a Tree Removal Permit from the Zoning Administrator to destroy any Protected tree. Even an occupied single-family lot of one acre or less must still get a permit to remove a non-pine Grand tree of 24-inch DBH.
Dorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards (Ord. No. 04-13), § 12.4.3(a)(6) Tree and Canopy Protection Standards
A single-family residential site equal to or smaller than one (1) acre shall be exempt from protecting Significant trees, Required Trees, and pine trees, but not Grand trees other than pine, provided the lot is occupied by one (1) single-family house or one (1) manufactured home with a Certificate of Occupancy for at least two (2) years.
Dorchester County protects Grand trees, its heritage class: any tree 24 inches DBH or larger, including pine. Grand trees may be removed only by permit, and in development only with mitigation. Big live oaks are the classic Grand tree.
Dorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards (Ord. No. 04-13), § 12.4.2(c) Tree and Canopy Protection Standards
A tree of special value due to its age and stature is deemed of irreplaceable value to Dorchester County. Trees twenty-four inches (24") in DBH or greater, including pine, shall be considered Grand trees and protected by Dorchester County under this Ordinance.
When development removes Grand or Protected trees in Dorchester County, mitigation is required, replacement planting or its equivalent. Grand trees inside building footprints may be removed only with mitigation, and removal for parking is barred outright.
Dorchester County Zoning and Land Development Standards (Ord. No. 04-13), § 12.4.4(d)(2) Tree and Canopy Protection Standards
Grand trees within proposed building footprints shall be removed only with mitigation if necessary for development. Other Protected trees within proposed building footprints, as well as those within twenty feet (20') of such, may be removed when necessary for development without mitigation.
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