Tree removal permit rules in Pinellas County, FL — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Pinellas County requires habitat permits before removing protected trees under Chapter 166, with mitigation through replacement plantings or Tree Bank Fund contributions, plus civil penalties for unpermitted removal.
Pinellas County Code Sections 166-81 through 166-84 govern tree removal in unincorporated areas. Permits are required for trees 4 inches DBH or greater on most lots, with the homestead exemption raising the threshold to 24 inches DBH for owner-occupied single-family parcels effective January 23, 2026. Removal is allowed for diseased, hazardous, utility-conflicting, or vision-blocking trees, but typically triggers mitigation under Section 166-57 (Tree Bank Fund) or replacement planting. Unpermitted removal incurs civil penalties under Section 166-44, calculated per tree based on DBH and species value. Mangrove cutting falls under separate FS 403.9321 rules.
Civil penalties per tree under Section 166-44, plus replacement or Tree Bank Fund mitigation. Penalty values scale with trunk diameter and ecological significance.
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See how Pinellas County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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