Palm Coast Land Development Code Chapter 11 uses 'specimen tree' and 'historic tree' categories rather than 'heritage tree.' Removal of such a tree generally requires a Chapter 11 permit and mitigation, unless the SFR/DPX/EST buildable-area carve-out (Ord. 2016-6) applies. The statewide Florida Champion Tree Program — administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida Forest Service — recognizes the largest known specimen of each native and naturalized species. Champion status is recognition only, not an additional removal preemption.
Palm Coast LDC Chapter 11 (Tree Protection, Landscaping, Buffering and Irrigation) classifies trees as 'protected,' 'specimen,' or 'historic' and applies elevated review and mitigation standards to specimen and historic trees. Ordinance 2016-6 amended Chapter 11 to allow owners in SFR, DPX, and EST zoning districts to remove a specimen or historic tree within the buildable area of the lot with no mitigation, provided that all reasonable efforts to shift or flip the building footprint cannot save the tree. The Florida Champion Tree Program — administered by FDACS Florida Forest Service — recognizes the largest known specimen of each species using the ISA point system (trunk circumference in inches at 4.5 ft + total height in feet + 1/4 average crown spread in feet). Champion status itself does not grant removal preemption, but champion or near-champion trees almost always qualify as 'specimen' or 'historic' trees under Chapter 11, requiring the highest review tier. FS 163.045 still applies — a single-family owner with proper ISA-certified arborist documentation can remove a hazardous tree without a City permit even if it is a champion-class specimen. Palm Coast is a 20-year Tree City USA, supporting the Urban Forester (Carol Mini, 386-986-3722) and an active Green Team.
Removal of a specimen or historic tree under Chapter 11 without a permit (and without the FS 163.045 documentation or the SFR/DPX/EST carve-out) can result in a Code Compliance citation, mandatory mitigation, and Special Magistrate fines. Damaging a Florida Champion Tree carries no separate state penalty, but the underlying City protection still applies.
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