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DeKalb County, GA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
DeKalb County Code § 14-39(g)(8)
Large hardwood/pine threshold
30 inches DBH
Small tree threshold
10 inches DBH
Applies to
Unincorporated DeKalb only
Enforcement
County arborist, per-tree penalty

Summary

DeKalb protects large 'specimen' trees, hardwoods and pines 30 inches DBH or more, or historically significant smaller trees, which the county arborist must identify and clear before any are altered or removed on a development site.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of DeKalb County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Standards for the identification, preservation, and protection of specimen trees shall be as follows: Any tree in fair or better condition which equals or exceeds the following diameter sizes:1.Large hardwoods, i.e. oaks, hickories, yellow poplars, and similar species: Thirty (30) inches DBH.2.Large softwoods, e.g. pines, evergreens, and similar species: Thirty (30) inches DBH.3.Small trees, e.g. dogwoods, redbuds, sourwoods, and similar species: Ten (10) inches DBH.

Source: Municode LibraryView official code

Full Breakdown

DeKalb County Code § 14-39(g)(8) sets the specimen-tree threshold used for the county's tree protection list: large hardwoods and softwoods (oaks, hickories, pines and similar species) at 30 inches DBH, small trees like dogwoods at 10 inches DBH, plus any tree the county arborist finds historically significant or a rare species regardless of size. The director maintains a list and map of these trees with help from the Board of Education, county Extension Service, Fernbank Science Center and the Georgia Forestry Commission. This applies only in unincorporated DeKalb; cities like Decatur and Dunwoody set their own tree rules.

Violations & Fines

Cutting a specimen tree on a permitted site without county arborist approval and a zoning board special exception is barred under § 14-39(g)(8)f; each removed or killed tree is a separate offense under § 14-39(p).

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a protected 'specimen' tree in DeKalb County?
Large hardwoods and pines at 30 inches DBH or more, small trees like dogwoods at 10 inches DBH, or any tree the county arborist finds rare or historically significant, per § 14-39(g)(8).
Can I remove a specimen tree from my DeKalb property?
Only with county arborist approval; cutting one on a permitted site without that approval and a zoning board special exception is prohibited under § 14-39(g)(8)f.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in DeKalb County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsProtected Tree SpeciesSome RestrictionsParkway PlantingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All DeKalb County rules

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