Mount Pleasant, SC Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Historic tree threshold
- 24 inches DBH or larger
- Live oak rule
- 24-inch DBH live oaks always historic
- Removal decided by
- Board of Zoning Appeals (Category I/II)
- Governing sections
- §§ 156.710, 156.702(E)
- Exception authority
- Zoning Administrator, § 156.704 (hazard trees)
- Max penalty
- $500 fine/30 days + $1,000 civil
Summary
In the Town of Mount Pleasant, § 156.710 classifies any tree 24 inches or larger in diameter at breast height as a 'historic tree,' with live oaks of that size protected under all circumstances, and § 156.702(E)(2) sends removal of a Category I or II historic tree to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a decision.
HISTORIC TREE. Any tree with diameter breast height (DBH) of 24 inches or larger, with the following exceptions: (1) Exempt trees, including invasive species, as provided herein; and (2) For the purpose only of requiring a variance for removal of historic trees or historic tree replacement requirements, non-exempt tree species (with the exception of live oak trees) containing three or more separate trunks are considered a significant tree, subject to the applicable removal and replacement requirements of significant trees. Live oak tree species with a DBH of 24 inches or larger are considered HISTORIC TREES under all circumstances.
Full Breakdown
Town Code § 156.710 defines a historic tree as any tree with a diameter breast height of 24 inches or larger, carving out exempt species such as invasive trees. A special rule protects live oaks specifically: live oak tree species with a DBH of 24 inches or larger are considered historic trees under all circumstances, regardless of the tree's health or number of trunks. Non-exempt species with three or more separate trunks, other than live oaks, are instead treated as significant trees for variance and replacement purposes even at that size.
Historic-tree status carries real weight in the removal process: § 156.702(E)(2) requires the Board of Zoning Appeals to decide removal requests for Category I or II historic trees, or for pine trees exceeding 24 inches DBH rated 'good' or 'fair' health, except where § 156.704's exception provisions apply, such as a severely damaged or hazardous tree the Zoning Administrator may authorize for removal directly. The same Board of Zoning Appeals review applies to historic trees in townhouse, triplex, quadplex, and multiplex developments under § 156.702(G)(2).
On individually platted detached-house lots, § 156.702(E)(1) directs the Town to weigh the tree's location, canopy condition, the reason given for removal, and whether practical alternatives were considered before a historic tree comes down, and any removal that is approved still triggers replacement obligations beyond the standard 160-caliper-inch-per-acre minimum under § 156.702(F)(4).
Violations & Fines
Removing a historic tree without Board of Zoning Appeals approval where § 156.702(E)(2) or (G)(2) requires it, or without the underlying tree removal permit required by § 156.702(A), is enforced as a misdemeanor under § 156.709(C): a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, plus a civil penalty of up to $1,000, with each historic tree removed treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tree 'historic' under Mount Pleasant's code?
Who decides if I can remove a historic tree?
Can a hazardous historic tree be removed without BZA approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mount Pleasant
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