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

Section 7.7.6 of Wellington's Land Development Regulations makes a vegetation removal permit mandatory for removing any vegetation in the village, defined broadly to include trees, palms, shrubs, hedges, groundcover and sod varieties, unless the LDR specifically exempts the work. The property owner files the permit application with the Planning and Zoning division as a Type A1 application processed under Article 5, and any application proposing to remove more than five trees must include a tree survey, plus a modified survey showing the proposed mitigation method if the trees cannot be worked into the site design.

A permit issues only if the vegetation is irreparably damaged, dead or diseased; is at risk of falling near a structure; interferes with utilities or sight lines; unreasonably restricts a permitted use and cannot be relocated on site; or removal is otherwise shown to serve the public interest. No separate permit is needed when a development order already carries an approved landscape or planting plan and tree survey, but any change to that approved plan requiring more vegetation removal needs its own permit. Permits expire 60 days after issuance, and the PZB director may grant one administrative extension of up to 60 days on a written request filed before expiration; work not finished in that window needs a brand-new application and fees.

Exemptions include minimal clearing for a Florida-licensed surveyor's five-foot-wide survey line, government-led environmental restoration work, emergency-declared disaster clearing, and vegetation located entirely within a proposed structure's footprint.