Santa Rosa County, FL Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Santa Rosa County, FL, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Permit rule
- Protected trees on development need permit
- Existing home exemption
- LDC 4.07.05.A.1: no permit
- Small protected tree
- 4-inch DBH+
- Large protected tree
- 8-inch DBH+
- Illegal removal fee
- $500 per mitigation inch
Summary
No county tree-removal permit is needed on an existing single-family or duplex home site. Development parcels must permit removal of protected, Heritage, and Champion trees. Florida law also waives any permit when a certified arborist documents a tree is a danger.
Permit Required — Protected or preserved trees shall not be removed or damaged without first obtaining a tree removal permit or development order from the County. ... Non-protected trees may be removed upon approval of a major land clearing permit per Section 4.08.01 or a minor land clearing permit per Section 4.08.00.
Full Breakdown
Under LDC 4.07.05, protected or preserved trees shall not be removed or damaged without first obtaining a tree-removal permit or development order from the county; the Planning Director reviews plans for conformance. Protected trees include small species at 4-inch DBH, large species at 8-inch DBH, plus Heritage and Champion trees. Two big exemptions: (1) parcels with an existing single-family/duplex home need no permit, and (2) FS 163.045 preempts all local permitting for residential trees documented as an unacceptable risk by an ISA-certified arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect. Non-protected trees on development sites may be removed under a minor (4.08.00) or major (4.08.01) land-clearing permit. Mitigation planting applies to protected-tree removal on development.
Violations & Fines
Removing a protected tree required to remain under an approved site plan without a permit: $500 per inch of required mitigation, deposited into the County Tree Fund; standard LDC enforcement otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Santa Rosa County require a tree permit?
Does a dangerous tree need a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
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