Mangroves in Sarasota are protected under the Florida Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act (F.S. §403.9321-9333) with delegated local permitting authority to Sarasota County under Chapter 54 Article XXXV. Owner trimming is allowed only for mangroves under 10 feet pre-trim, without reducing overall height below 6 feet.
F.S. §403.9321-9333 establishes statewide mangrove protection. Sarasota County received DEP delegation in 2016 to administer local permits under Ch. 54 Art. XXXV. Sec. 54-1076 sets the exemption framework: an Owner Exemption allows trimming on owner-controlled riparian mangrove fringe land for mangroves up to 10 feet pre-trim, but cannot reduce overall height below 6 feet. The Professional Mangrove Trimmer (PMT) Exemption allows certified PMTs to trim 16-24 feet mangroves in stages at no more than 25% foliage annually. Mangroves taller than 24 feet cannot be trimmed under any exemption. Sec. 54-1077 sets the permit process; Sec. 54-1078 sets variance procedures. Mangroves provide critical storm-surge protection and habitat in Sarasota Bay.
Illegal mangrove trimming or alteration is pursued by Sarasota County (under delegated authority) and DEP. Civil penalties under F.S. §403.9333 can reach $250 per mangrove altered plus restoration orders. Major violations can trigger DEP civil penalty proceedings up to $10,000 per day.
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