Plantation, FL Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Section 27-262 requires a TRP before anyone cuts down, destroys, removes, relocates, damages, or encroaches within the dripline of a protected tree. The size thresholds differ by property type: on commercial and planned residential land, any tree with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of two inches or more needs a permit; on single-family lots the threshold is 18 inches DBH. Palms are covered separately, triggering a permit once grey wood reaches 8 feet or overall height reaches 16 feet. 'Protected vegetation' under Section 27-262(c) reaches beyond ordinary trees to include street trees, perimeter vegetation, vegetation in parking and vehicular use areas, historical trees, trees in a city area of particular concern, special status category trees, and specimen trees, so applicants cannot assume a tree is exempt just because it isn't a shade tree.

Public Works will only issue a TRP if the applicant shows one of six conditions in Section 27-262(e): the tree blocks a permitted structure, threatens a structure's integrity, interferes with utility service, obstructs a traffic sight line, is diseased, damaged or hazardous, or removal is required by other law. Approved permits run for a maximum of 90 days, with extensions available for demonstrated progress. A hazardous tree endangering public safety can come down immediately with written email authorization from Public Works ahead of the formal TRP, and Section 27-262(h) exempts single-family homeowners from the permit entirely when a certified ISA arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect documents in writing that the tree endangers persons or property, though even that exemption still forgoes replacement-tree credit.

Every application must include a legal description, a site map, and a tree survey identifying every tree over three inches in caliper. 00 fine plus investigation and prosecution costs and the cost of replacement trees, with each individually protected tree treated as its own offense, and the City can also issue a stop-work order or move to withhold or revoke development approvals and permits.