Alachua County, FL Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Heritage threshold (most species)
- 20 inches dbh or greater
- Heritage threshold (laurel/water oak)
- 30 inches dbh or greater
- Preservation priority rank
- 3rd, after champion trees & landmark oaks
- Minimum canopy retention
- 20% standard; 5-10% for certain projects
- Rating scale
- 1 (dead) to 5 (excellent), County-assessed
Summary
Alachua County's ULDC defines a heritage tree as any native species 20 inches dbh or larger (30 inches for laurel or water oaks) under Section 406.11, and Section 406.14 puts heritage and high-rated specimen trees third in the county's mandatory preservation priority order on development sites.
(4)Tree, heritage: All native tree species twenty (20) inches dbh or greater, except for laurel or water oaks, which are heritage trees when measured at thirty (30) inches or greater in diameter. ... Development plans must preserve native trees that exhibit the characteristics listed below and prioritize them in the following order:(1)Champion trees(2)Landmark live oaks(3)Heritage and specimen trees rated four (4) and above(4)Located within conservation management areas required for preservation by this ULDC(5)Exist in natural groupings to create qualifying open space areas or connectivity to other natural areas(6)Other required buffers(7)Complement project design such as enhancement of street scape appearance, in the absence of the above
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
' Champion trees (state or national records) and landmark live oaks (45+ inch live oaks rated 4 or better) sit in their own, more protected categories above heritage trees. 14(c) then sets the order development plans must follow when deciding which trees on a site to keep: champion trees first, landmark live oaks second, heritage and specimen trees rated 4 or 5 third, trees inside required conservation management areas fourth, natural tree groupings and buffers next, and other design considerations last. 14(b), 20 percent of existing canopy on standard development plans and subdivision plats, 5 percent for traditional neighborhoods, transit-oriented developments, cottage neighborhoods, and affordable housing, and 10 percent where a residential project reaches 90 percent of its maximum allowable density. 1 rating system and determines both preservation priority and mitigation obligations if a heritage tree is removed.
Violations & Fines
Removing or damaging a heritage tree counted toward a site's required canopy preservation, without following the Section 406.14 hierarchy and mitigation requirements, is enforceable under Section 406.16.3's unauthorized-removal penalty, replacement at up to double the standard mitigation rate, plus the ULDC's general Chapter 409 remedies, including Code Enforcement referral under Chapter 24 and F.S. Ch. 162.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tree counts as 'heritage' in Alachua County?
Are heritage trees automatically protected from removal?
Who decides a tree's protection rating?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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