Palm Beach County, FL Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Palm Beach County only
- Protected list
- Appendix 7, Specimen Tree List
- Reviewing agency
- Environmental Resource Management (ERM)
- Improper-removal mitigation
- Double rate under Table 14.C.7.C
- Relocation requires
- ISA-certified arborist report
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County bans removing any specimen tree listed in Appendix 7 unless it's preserved in place, relocated with a certified arborist's report, or mitigated with replacement native plantings under ERM review.
Removal of any specimen tree (defined in Art. 1.H.2, Definitions) from non-exempt parcels identified in Appendix 7, Specimen Tree List, is prohibited, unless the following criteria are met: [Ord. 2021-023] 1) The Applicant shall depict on the Site or Subdivision Plan any specimen tree in its original location to the greatest extent possible; [Ord. 2021-023] a) If there is no reasonable alternative that allows incorporation of the tree into the parcel design, a specimen tree shall be relocated in a manner to ensure survivability. The Applicant shall provide appropriate documentation (e.g., an Arborist Report), prepared by an Arborist, certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, to ERM for review. [Ord. 2021-023] b) If a specimen tree cannot be relocated, the parcel owner shall install mitigation plantings consisting of native vegetation pursuant to Table 14.C.7.C, Native Vegetation Mitigation. This requirement is in addition to the requirements outlined in Art. 7, Landscaping, and any other Conditions of Approval. [Ord. 2021-023] 2) Dahoon Holly (Ilex cassine) trees shall be replaced like size for like size for mitigation. [Ord. 2021-023]
Full Breakdown
Under ULDC Article 14, Chapter C, a specimen tree on a non-exempt parcel in unincorporated Palm Beach County cannot be removed unless the owner first shows on the site or subdivision plan that it stays in its original location. If that's not feasible, an International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist must document a relocation plan for Environmental Resource Management (ERM) review; if relocation itself is not viable, the owner must plant replacement native vegetation sized under Table 14.C.7.C, Native Vegetation Mitigation. Dahoon Holly must be replaced like-size-for-like-size. This chapter applies only within unincorporated PBC: incorporated cities regulate their own trees separately.
Violations & Fines
Removing a listed specimen tree without an approved Vegetation Disposition Chart triggers enforcement under ULDC Art. 10; ERM can deny or revoke approvals, require double-rate mitigation replacement, and pursue code-enforcement citations for continued violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a specimen tree on my unincorporated Palm Beach County property?
Does this rule apply inside West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
What counts as a specimen tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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