Miami Beach has a Heritage Tree program administered by Urban Forestry. Property owners can apply to designate exceptional trees as Heritage Trees through the Heritage Tree Permit Application. Heritage Trees receive the highest level of protection and cannot be removed except under extreme circumstances.
Miami Beach's Heritage Tree program recognizes and protects exceptional specimen trees on the barrier island. A Heritage Tree (or Champion Tree) is defined in alignment with the Florida Division of Forestry as the largest of its species within the state, or by the American Forestry Association as the largest nationally or globally. Property owners can nominate trees for Heritage Tree designation through the Heritage Tree Permit Application administered by the Urban Forestry division. Designated Heritage Trees receive the highest level of protection under the city code and generally cannot be removed. Removal requests for Heritage Trees require extraordinary justification and extensive review. The program supports Miami Beach's urban canopy, which is critical for shade, stormwater management, and resilience on the barrier island. Notable protected species include specimen live oaks, gumbo limbo, royal palms, strangler figs, and tropical hardwoods. Questions should be directed to Urban Forestry at urbanforestry@miamibeachfl.gov.
Damaging or removing a designated Heritage Tree without authorization carries the highest penalties under the landscape ordinance, including fines calculated on the tree's full appraised value (potentially tens of thousands of dollars for mature specimens). Mandatory replacement at enhanced ratios is required. Criminal prosecution may apply for willful destruction.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Miami-Dade County.
See how other cities in Miami-Dade County handle heritage & protected trees.
See how Miami Beach's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
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