Lee County, FL Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Lee County, FL, 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 required for
- Appendix E protected trees
- Unlisted species
- Removable without a permit
- Single-family exemption
- Lots five acres or less
- Coastal island allowance
- Five trees per year
- Civil fine
- Up to $500 per violation
Summary
A tree protected by LDC Article V may be removed only after a permit is secured from the administrator. Protected means listed in Appendix E; any other species may come down without a permit. Most single-family lots under five acres are exempt.
Any tree, as defined and protected by this article, may be lawfully removed only after a permit therefor has been secured from the administrator.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7 | Land Development Code: Supplement 3 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Section 14-380 makes any tree delineated in Appendix E a protected tree, and says all other species may be removed without a permit provided the work does not disturb or destroy surrounding protected trees. Section 14-382(a) requires a permit from the administrator before a protected tree is removed. Section 14-377(a)(7) exempts protected trees on a lot zoned or lawfully used for a single-family residence or mobile home where the lot is no greater than five acres, but that exemption does not reach the coastal islands listed in Subsection (c). On those islands, no tree permit is needed for the annual removal of five trees or less.
Violations & Fines
Section 14-375 allows a fine not to exceed $500 per violation plus restoration under Section 14-384, and each tree removed without a permit is a separate offense. Cases go to court, the Code Enforcement Board or the Hearing Examiner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Lee County?
Which trees are protected?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lee County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Lee County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
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