Section 163.045 expressly applies regardless of any local heritage, specimen, or champion tree designation, preempting protective ordinances when an arborist documents danger.
The 2019 amendment to Section 163.045, Florida Statutes, was specifically intended to override local heritage tree ordinances. The statute reads that no local ordinance, regulation, or comprehensive plan provision may require a permit or fee for the removal of a tree (including those designated as heritage, specimen, grand, or champion) on residential property when the qualified arborist documentation is in place. The Florida Attorney General's 2019 Advisory AGO 2019-15 confirmed this scope, and Florida appellate courts have upheld the statute against home-rule challenges.
Municipalities enforcing heritage tree restrictions against owners with valid arborist documentation expose themselves to suit for declaratory and injunctive relief under Section 163.045.
See how Vero Beach's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
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