Tree removal permit rules in Hillsborough County, FL — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Residential tree removal on single-family parcels is preempted by FL 163.045 when documented by an arborist. Hillsborough County still regulates removal of grand trees, protected species, and trees on commercial, multifamily, and undeveloped parcels through the Land Development Code.
Hillsborough County Land Development Code Part 4.01 protects grand trees of 34 inches DBH or greater and specimen species including live oak, bald cypress, southern magnolia, and sand pine scrub species. Removal on non-single-family parcels requires a tree removal permit with mitigation plantings or fee-in-lieu into the county tree fund. Mangroves are separately protected by FL 403.9321. FL 163.045 governs single-family residential.
Unpermitted grand tree removal: mitigation of up to 3-to-1 replacement plus fines up to 500 dollars per inch DBH. Mangrove damage: FDEP enforcement under FL 403.9329.
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See how Hillsborough County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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