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

LDC § 6.05.033's Protected Tree List splits species into three trunk-diameter classes. Type A covers small trees at four inches or more in diameter, including dogwood, redbud and crape myrtle. Type B covers medium trees at six inches, including American holly, southern magnolia, and eastern and southern red cedar. Type C covers large trees at 12 inches, including live oak, laurel oak, sweet gum, sycamore, pecan, water oak and red maple, most marked as shade trees. A companion Tree Replant List sets out substitute species, from dahoon holly and wax myrtle at the small end up to willow oak and bald cypress at the large end, for use when a protected tree must be replaced.

The code defines a protected tree, countywide, as one that 'by virtue of type or size cannot be destroyed without a permit being issued.' LDC § 6.05.011 exempts single-family detached and two-family dwellings, agriculture and silviculture uses, and public utilities from the whole landscaping chapter, so a homeowner clearing their own single-family lot is not bound by the protected-tree list. Everyone else must obtain county approval before cutting, removing or damaging a listed species under LDC § 6.05.13, and where a protected tree cannot be worked around, LDC § 6.05.032 requires a 1:1 replacement with a tree at least three inches in diameter from the replant list, unless the owner instead pays into the native tree replacement fund under LDC § 6.05.321.

Where strict compliance would serve no purpose because of a lot's topography or size, LDC § 6.05.10 lets the board of adjustment grant a variance from the chapter's tree requirements. Enforcement of this chapter runs under LDC § 6.05.12, which points to section 11.03.02 of the code's enforcement provisions.