Tree trimming in unincorporated Palm Beach County is largely deregulated for residential parcels following FL FS §163.045 (2019), which preempts local permit requirements when an ISA-certified arborist documents that trimming is necessary. PBC ULDC Article 14 still governs trimming in landscape buffers and on commercial sites.
FL §163.045 prohibits PBC from requiring a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property when an ISA-certified arborist or licensed Florida landscape architect documents in writing that the tree presents a danger. For routine non-hazardous trimming on residential parcels, no permit is required. Commercial, industrial, and multifamily sites must comply with PBC ULDC Art. 14 (Landscape) requiring preservation of required canopy and avoidance of severe hat-racking. Mangroves on coastal parcels are protected under FL FS §403.9321-§403.9333 (Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act) administered by Florida DEP, with permits required for any trim removing more than 25 percent of canopy. Trees in PBC right-of-way require an ROW permit from PBC Engineering.
Hat-racking on commercial sites: ULDC Art. 14 violation, replacement required and Special Magistrate fines to 250 dollars per day. Unpermitted mangrove trim: FL DEP enforcement, fines up to 250 dollars per tree.
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See how Palm Beach County's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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