Brevard County, FL Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Specimen tree threshold
- 24-in dbh hardwood, 10-in understory
- Applies to
- Single-family lots over 1.25 acres
- Small-scale permits
- Cannot authorize removal
- Illegal removal penalty
- 3x assessed tree value
- Scope
- Unincorporated Brevard only
Summary
Brevard County designates large, rare, or historically significant trees as protected "specimen trees", hardwoods 24 inches dbh or larger, and bars their removal on lots over 1.25 acres without county-approved preservation or replacement.
Specimen tree means a tree considered an important community asset due to its unique or noteworthy characteristics or values. A tree may be considered a specimen tree based on its size, age, rarity or special historical or ecological significance. Specimen trees include large hardwoods (oaks, maples, etc.) or softwoods (pines, cypress, cedars, etc.) in good condition as determined by a recognized knowledgeable person, with a dbh of 24 inches or greater and smaller understory trees (stoppers, hollies, etc.) in good condition with a dbh of ten inches or greater.
Spread means the crown diameter measured by taking the average of the widest branch spread and the branch spread perpendicular to it.
Tree is a perennial, woody plant that is generally characterized by having a self-supporting trunk with secondary branches. Trees shall be classified as follows:
(1)Large trees: Average maximum height exceeding 40 feet.(2)Medium trees: Average maximum height of 25 feet but less than 40 feet.(3)Small trees: Average maximum height of ten feet but less than 25 feet. Understory means an underlying layer of low native vegetation usually associated with trees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Brevard County, Chapter 62's land clearing and landscaping code designates "specimen trees", hardwoods or softwoods 24 inches dbh or greater, or understory species like hollies at 10 inches or greater, as protected for their size, age, rarity, or historical or ecological value. Single-family lots larger than 1.25 acres must preserve or relocate specimen trees on-site, and small-scale land clearing permits cannot approve their removal. Where preservation isn't feasible, replacement plantings equal to 33 percent of the removed tree's cumulative diameter are required, and illegally destroyed specimen trees draw compensation at three times assessed value. Incorporated cities like Melbourne and Palm Bay govern separately.
Violations & Fines
Illegally removing or destroying a specimen tree triggers compensation at three times its assessed value; each removed tree is a separate violation under Sec. 62-4336, punished per Sec. 62-5 and Sec. 1-7 of the county code.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a specimen tree in Brevard County?
Can I remove a specimen tree from my property?
Does this rule apply inside Melbourne or Palm Bay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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