Atlanta, GA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Atlanta, GA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Permitting authority
- City arborist, Dept. of City Planning
- Regulated tree size
- 6" DBH (12" for pines)
- First-offense fine
- $500 minimum per tree
- Repeat-violation fine
- $1,000 per tree, per offense
- Coverage
- Citywide, Fulton & DeKalb portions
Summary
Atlanta requires a permit from the city arborist before removing or destroying any regulated tree, six inches DBH or larger, or 12 inches for pines, on public or private property citywide.
No person shall directly or indirectly remove or destroy a regulated tree on public or private property without first obtaining a permit from the city arborist, except as otherwise set forth in this article.(b)Replacement or recompense required. Any person removing or destroying a regulated tree must replant tree(s), pay recompense, or both, based on the calculated value of the tree pursuant to the rules set forth in this article, unless otherwise exempted by this article.(c)Permits available to public. Permits shall be available for public inspection on the city's website. (Ord. No. 2025-19(24-O-1691), § 1, 6-24-25)
Full Breakdown
Under Atlanta Code of Ordinances § 158-49, no person may remove or destroy a regulated tree, any species six inches DBH or greater, or a pine 12 inches DBH or greater, on public or private property without a permit from the city arborist, with narrow exceptions elsewhere in the article. Sec. 158-51 sets separate permit tracks for construction/demolition/land-disturbance projects, landscaping work, and silvicultural prescriptions, each requiring a site plan or tree survey; most tracks also require public posting before final approval. The rule applies citywide, covering both the Fulton County and DeKalb County portions of Atlanta.
Violations & Fines
Removing a regulated tree without a permit triggers a minimum $500 fine for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent violation, with each destroyed tree treated as a separate offense, plus mandatory replacement planting or recompense payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in my Atlanta yard?
What happens if I remove a tree without a permit in Atlanta?
Does this apply in both the Fulton and DeKalb County parts of Atlanta?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlanta
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle tree removal & heritage trees.