3 rules for unincorporated St. Johns County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
St. Johns County requires tree-removal permits for protected trees on development and non-residential sites. On residential property, Florida Statute 163.045 preempts them: no permit, fee, or mitigation may be required once an arborist documents the tree poses an unacceptable risk.
Fla. Stat. §163.045(2)
A local government may not require a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on a residential property if the property owner possesses documentation from an arborist certified by the ISA or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree poses an unacceptable risk to persons or property.
St. Johns County protects specimen and heritage trees through its Land Development Code on development and non-residential sites. On residential property, Florida Statute 163.045 preempts even specimen-tree permits when an arborist documents an unacceptable risk.
Fla. Stat. §163.045(2)
A local government may not require a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on a residential property if the property owner possesses documentation from an arborist certified by the ISA or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree poses an unacceptable risk to persons or property.
St. Johns County requires tree replacement and mitigation for protected trees removed on development and non-residential sites. Florida Statute 163.045 bars the county from making a homeowner replant a tree lawfully removed from residential property.
Fla. Stat. §163.045(3)
A local government may not require a property owner to replant a tree that was pruned, trimmed, or removed in accordance with this section.
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