Tree removal permit rules in Fort Myers, FL — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Fort Myers Chapter 138 (Vegetation) of the Land Development Code, including Section 138-46, governs protected-tree removal and requires permitting through the Building, Permitting & Inspections Division (239-321-7925). Florida Statute 163.045 overrides the City permit on single-family residential property when the owner has ISA-certified arborist documentation that the tree is dangerous. Native-species tree removal is specifically listed as a permit-required activity by the City.
Per the City's 'Do I Need Permits?' guidance, removal of a tree (native species) is a permitted activity in both residential and commercial categories — applications go through the Building, Permitting & Inspections Division at 1825 Hendry St. (239-321-7925, permits@fortmyers.gov). Substantive standards live in Chapter 138 (Vegetation) of the Code of Ordinances, Article II (Landscaping) including § 138-46, and Article III (Trees). Removal of a protected or specimen tree generally triggers replacement under Article II. State law (FS 163.045) preempts the City permit for a single-family residential lot when the owner has on-site written assessment from an ISA-certified arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect (per ISA BMP — Tree Risk Assessment, 2nd Ed. 2017) that the tree poses a danger. Mangroves are separately preempted to FDEP under FS 403.9321-403.9333 and are not covered by Chapter 138.
Unpermitted removal of a protected or native tree outside the FS 163.045 exemption can lead to a Code Compliance Notice of Violation, mandatory tree replacement under Chapter 138 Article II, and Special Magistrate fines under Chapter 2, Article V. Knowingly mis-certifying a tree as hazardous can expose the certifying arborist or landscape architect to professional discipline.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Fort Myers, FL
Fort Myers' tree and landscape code is consolidated in the Land Development Code (Subpart B), Chapter 138 — Vegetation, which contains Article I (General), A...
Fort Myers, FL
Removal of a protected, specimen, or required-landscape tree under Fort Myers Chapter 138 (Vegetation), Article II (Landscaping, including § 138-46), general...
Fort Myers, FL
Fort Myers does not maintain a stand-alone 'heritage tree' registry under Chapter 138, but the City's Chapter 138 (Vegetation) protects specimen/protected na...
Fort Myers, FL
Removal of a native-species tree on residential or commercial property is listed by the City of Fort Myers as a permit-required activity under Chapter 138 (V...
Fort Myers, FL
Solar installations in Fort Myers require a building permit through the City Building Division and must comply with the Florida Building Code (FBC) — Residen...
Fort Myers, FL
Florida Statute § 509.102 forbids Fort Myers from prohibiting food trucks 'within the entirety of the entity's jurisdiction,' which preempts citywide bans, d...
See how Fort Myers's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.