Removing protected trees in Pinellas Park requires a permit under Article 4 of the Land Development Code. Healthy trees four inches DBH or larger are typically protected, with removal triggering replacement or mitigation.
Article 4 of Pinellas Park's Land Development Code (Chapter 18) governs removal and relocation of protected trees. A protected tree is generally any healthy tree with a four-inch or greater diameter at breast height (DBH), measured at 4.5 feet above grade. Owners must apply for a tree removal permit, demonstrate cause (hazard, dead or diseased condition, or conflict with construction), and replace removed trees with new specimens or pay into a tree mitigation account. Hazardous, dead, or diseased trees may be removed under expedited or emergency procedures, but the city often requires a certified arborist's report. Florida HB 1159 (FS 163.045) lets homeowners remove trees the property owner documents as posing a danger using arborist or landscape architect verification, without a city permit.
Removing a protected tree without a permit can result in code enforcement fines, replacement at multiple times the removed tree's value, and stop-work orders on related construction.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle tree removal & heritage trees.
See how Pinellas Park'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.