Glynn County, GA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- § 624.9 Preservation of Mature Live Oaks
- Size threshold
- 38-inch DBH (60-in cumulative multi-trunk)
- Approval needed
- Planning and Zoning Director
- Qualifying reasons
- Dead, diseased, damaged, hazard, unresolvable conflict
- Replacement
- One 4-inch DBH+ Live Oak per tree removed
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under § 624.10
Summary
A Live Oak measuring 38 inches DBH or greater anywhere on St. Simons Island, regardless of zoning or lot size, is classified as a protected mature Live Oak. It cannot be removed without the Planning and Zoning Director's approval, and that approval is granted only on narrow, listed grounds.
624.9Preservation of Mature Live Oaks. St. Simons Island is particularly known and renowned for its mature Live Oak trees. Accordingly, preservation of such trees is deemed to be necessary and desirable.(a)Any provision to the contrary in this Section notwithstanding, all Live Oak trees (Latin name: Quercus virginiana), 38 inches DBH or greater, located on St. Simons Island shall be classified as mature Live Oak trees. A mature Live Oak tree shall not be removed from any property on St. Simons Island, regardless of the zoning or size of the property, without prior consent or approval from the Planning and Zoning Director; except for Glynn County trees removed by Glynn County. ... (c)For each mature Live Oak removed, one new Live Oak of at least four inches DBH shall be planted on the property by the applicant.
Full Breakdown
Where removal is proposed through a Tree Plan reviewed by the Islands Planning Commission or the Director, the County Arborist must first be consulted on whether the tree meets the removal criteria; in every other case the Director alone decides. Removal is allowed only if the tree is dead; has an insect infestation or disease that's impractical to treat and likely to spread; is damaged such that it will more likely than not die; has an unresolvable conflict with infrastructure or an existing structure that creates an unsafe condition, damage, or a public hazard; has an unresolvable conflict with a permitted use that makes the use impractical or impossible; or otherwise creates an unsafe condition or hazard. The ordinance's broader preservation policy states a preference for saving mature Live Oaks wherever possible, and it even lets the Islands Planning Commission grant a variance from other Section 624 requirements specifically to preserve one.
Violations & Fines
Removing a mature Live Oak without Planning and Zoning Director approval is a misdemeanor under Section 624.10, with escalating minimum fines of $500, $750, and $900 for a first, second, and third-or-later offense, a required 125-percent caliper tree replacement, possible stop-work orders, and denial of a certificate of occupancy until the violation is corrected. Liability reaches the owner and any contractor, architect, agent, or tenant who commits or assists the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 38-inch Live Oak rule apply even outside a commercial development?
On what grounds can the county approve removing a mature Live Oak?
What do I have to do if I'm allowed to remove a mature Live Oak?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glynn County
Compare Glynn County to another location·View the Georgia tree protection overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.