Fort Lauderdale protects trees through ULDR Section 47-21.15. Trees with a caliper of 8 inches or greater require a removal permit. Larger and specimen trees receive additional protections with higher replacement requirements. Several invasive species are exempt from permit requirements.
ULDR Section 47-21.15 establishes Fort Lauderdale's tree preservation requirements. It is unlawful to remove a dicot or conifer tree having a diameter of 3 inches or more, or a monocot having 8 feet or more of wood, on other than a developed single-family residential lot without first obtaining a tree removal permit. The city reduced the caliper threshold for requiring permits from 12 inches to 8 inches at true caliper. Larger trees and specimen species receive enhanced protections with higher equivalent replacement requirements. Trees removed without permits must be replaced with the largest tree reasonably available. The city does not use a specific 'heritage tree' designation, but specimen and mature trees receive the strongest protections under the ordinance.
Removing protected trees without permits requires replacement with the largest tree reasonably available plus potential equivalent value payment. Unpermitted removal of required landscape trees carries additional penalties.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Broward County.
See how other cities in Broward County handle heritage & protected trees.
See how Fort Lauderdale's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
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