Fort Lauderdale, FL Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Fort Lauderdale's tree rules sit on top of a strong state preemption for homeowners. Florida Statute 163.045 provides that 'A local government may not require a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property if the property owner obtains documentation from an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree presents an unacceptable risk to persons or property.' The statute also bars the City from requiring the owner to replant such a tree, and it does not override mangrove protections under Fla. Stat. 403.9321-403.9333. Outside that hazard-on-residential exemption, Fort Lauderdale's Unified Land Development Regulations Section 47-21 (Landscape and Tree Preservation Requirements) still control: a tree-removal permit from Development Services is required for non-residential properties and for non-hazard removals, generally when a dicot or conifer reaches three (3) inches in diameter (or eight (8) inches on a developed one-family lot, measured 4.5 feet above grade), and removed trees must be replaced or mitigated. Routine pruning of a healthy private tree is otherwise unregulated.