Margate, FL Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Section 40.704(N) of the Land Development Code creates two protected tiers. A historical tree is a particular tree or group of trees with historical value because of its unique relationship to the history of the region, state, nation or world, as designated by the City Commission. Under the general prohibitions, no one can remove a historical tree without first getting approval from the City Commission, and the removal of any other tree still needs a DEES permit.

A specimen tree is any tree with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 18 inches or greater, measured at 4.5 feet above natural grade. The definition excludes non-native fruit trees grown for edible fruit such as mangos, avocados and citrus, most Ficus species, all multi-trunk palms, and trees in poor condition or form as determined by DEES.

Specimen status changes what happens at removal. DEES performs a tree appraisal under the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers' Guide for Plant Appraisal, 10th Edition, to set the dollar value of any specimen tree approved for removal. DEES then calculates how many replacement trees equal that appraised value, counting the purchase price of each replacement plus installation costs, and the applicant must supply them.

Relocating a specimen tree requires a bond. It can take the form of a letter of credit, a cash bond issued by an insurance company doing business in Florida, or another means approved by the city attorney's office, sized under the Guide for Plant Appraisal. Government entities are exempt. Bonds on specimen trees are released after construction if DEES finds the trees were not effectively destroyed, and if a relocated tree is effectively destroyed within one year the bond is drawn and deposited in the City of Margate Tree Preservation Fund.

Franchised utilities can remove trees under a limited exemption, but not historical or specimen trees, and they must give DEES and the owner 15 calendar days written notice.