Tree Protection in Greenville County, SC (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Greenville County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Greenville County doesn't stop a landowner from removing a heritage or historic tree: the definition in its tree ordinance says trees on the county's Historic and Specimen Tree List 'would not be protected from any use its owner may desire.' The only real effect is financial: developers who preserve a designated heritage or specimen tree during land development earn double tree-density-unit credit under §§ 17-54 and 17-61.
Heritage Tree Protection in Greenville County
Few RestrictionsGreenville County Code § 17-54
If during the review process, it is determined that specimen or heritage trees are on the site and are in areas that are to be part of the land development activity, the developer may be asked to consider minor redesign of the development plan for the purpose of saving the heritage or specimen tree(s). Upon approval by the County, a saved Heritage or Specimen tree will receive 2.0 times the cre...
Protected Tree Species
Greenville County's tree ordinance singles out Heritage (Historic) Trees and Specimen Trees for extra protection on development sites. Site plans must account for their location, and the County can require a design review or field survey to identify ways to save them before a project is approved.
Heritage and Specimen Tree Protection in Greenville County
Some RestrictionsGreenville County Code § 17-55(E)
The design of any land development project or subdivision shall take into consideration the location of all Heritage Trees, Specimen Trees, and stands of Trees. The County, at the request of the developer or landowner, may field survey the site and identify opportunities and incentives to save said trees.
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