Floyd County, GA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- County term used
- "Significant tree," not "heritage tree"
- Condition test 1
- Life expectancy over 15 years
- Condition test 2
- Sound trunk, under 29% radial die-back
- Condition test 3
- No major insect/pathological problems
- Designation benefit
- 15% bonus tree-unit credit
- Max penalty
- $1,000 or 6 months, per day
Summary
Floyd County's Unified Land Development Code has no ordinance labeled "heritage tree," but its "significant tree" designation serves the same function: a defined condition test qualifies a tree for protected status, which earns it a bonus in the county's tree-retention math and removal protection during development.
a.A significant tree is a tree in fair or better condition which has been determined to be of a high value by a knowledgeable person because of its species, size, age, or other professional criteria. A tree is considered in fair or better condition if:(1)Its life expectancy is greater than 15 years;(2)It has a relatively sound and solid trunk with no extensive decay or hollow with less than 29 percent radial tip die-back; and(3)It has no major insect or pathological problems.
Full Breakdown
" The code sets a three-part condition test for that fair-or-better standard: the tree's life expectancy must exceed 15 years, it must have a relatively sound and solid trunk with no extensive decay or hollow and less than 29 percent radial tip die-back, and it must show no major insect or pathological problems. A tree that fails any part of that test does not qualify for significant-tree status regardless of its size or species. 4, meaning it cannot be cut unless keeping it would cause irreparable damage to the critical root zone of adjacent development.
3(b)) sets automatic significant-tree thresholds for particular species. Compliance and disputes over tree condition are reviewed by the Chief Building Inspector, with the Georgia Forestry Commission and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service publications available as reference authorities.
Violations & Fines
Removing or materially damaging a tree that qualifies as significant under Section 6.18.3, where it exceeds the required 15-units-per-acre minimum and sits outside the approved construction area, without the irreparable root-zone justification, is a Development Code violation. Penalties under the ULDC's violation and penalties article run up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Floyd County have a heritage tree ordinance?
What makes a tree "significant" under Floyd County's code?
What protection does a significant tree get?
Who decides if a tree qualifies as significant in a dispute?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Floyd County
Compare Floyd County to another location·View the Georgia tree protection overview
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