Marietta, GA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Marietta, 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
- Permit needed
- Notification of Tree Removal, City-verified condition
- Decision timeline
- 10 business days from complete submission
- Site density standard
- 17 tree density units per acre (Table D)
- Perimeter buffer
- 50 feet undisturbed on 2+ acre clearing sites
- Enforcing agency
- Department of Development Services
- Appeal body
- Board of Zoning Appeals
Summary
Marietta requires a Notification of Tree Removal before any tree comes down on a non-exempt parcel, including dead, dying or diseased trees. The Department of Development Services must verify the tree's condition and rule within 10 business days, and removed trees generally must be replaced or paid for through the city's Tree Replacement Fund.
Tree loss on any nonexempt parcel shall not be considered an exemption from this section. Trees shall not be removed without prior authorization of the Department of Development Services staff, unless loss occurred due to sudden weather conditions which create an imminent hazard condition. Dead, dying, diseased, infested or otherwise hazardous trees may be removed only after a Notification of Tree Removal form has been submitted and the condition of the tree(s) is verified by City staff prior to removal. A decision on the Notification of Tree Removal shall be issued as soon as possible but no later than 10 business days from receipt of all required documents.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
08, no land disturbance permit can be issued until the Department of Development Services approves a tree protection and landscaping plan, and no tree on a non-exempt parcel may come down without the Department's prior authorization. The only exception is storm damage creating an imminent hazard; dead, dying, diseased or infested trees still need a Notification of Tree Removal form verified by City staff before removal, with a decision due within 10 business days. Trees removed to satisfy a specific requirement, such as a parking-lot buffer or street tree, must be replaced in a way that still meets that standard, or the owner must seek a variance from City Council.
4 and multiplying by the per-tree value in the City's Fee Schedule. Clearing on sites over 2 acres must keep at least half of all trees with a DBH greater than 6 inches and hold a 50-foot undisturbed perimeter buffer. 08(O). 08(P).
Violations & Fines
Removing a tree without an approved Notification of Tree Removal, or clearing before required protection fencing is installed, is a violation the Department of Development Services enforces on inspection. An inspector who finds installed plantings or protection measures out of compliance with the approved plan gives written notice and 10 days to correct; failing to fix the deficiency is itself a separate violation. Unpermitted removal can also void density credit and trigger a payment into the Tree Replacement Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a dead tree without a permit in Marietta?
How long does the city take to decide on a tree removal request?
What happens if I remove a required tree without approval?
Does the tree ordinance apply to my single-family lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marietta
Compare Marietta to another location·View the Georgia landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cobb County handle tree removal & heritage trees.