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

Schedule J, Section 1.0(d)(1) of Sanford's Land Development Regulations states that one purpose of the schedule is preserving and growing the city's canopy cover by protecting landmark, native and specimen trees on private property and expanding protection of street trees and trees on public property. Section 1.1 then defines a landmark tree as one designated as a landmark because of historic or cultural significance and importance to the community, based on being one of the largest or oldest of its species in the city, having historical significance through association with a historic building, site, street, person or event, or being a defining landmark or significant outstanding feature of a neighborhood.

Sanford's code does not set up a separate landmark tree commission or nomination process the way it does for specimen trees under Section 4.5; instead, a landmark tree gets its practical protection through the citywide rule in Section 4.1, which requires a site development permit before any action to cut down, destroy, remove, move or otherwise damage any living tree on the premises, whether or not it carries the landmark label. Section 4.6 backs that permit requirement with a straightforward violation: it is prohibited and unlawful to destroy, cut down or remove any living tree without first obtaining that permit, and the same section separately bars topping, hatracking or poodle-cutting any required tree or shrub into an unnatural shape.