Coconut Creek, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Section 13-442 defines the categories. A protected tree, palm or plant is one the City Commission has declared a locally unique and practically irreplaceable example of its species. A special status category tree is one designated by Broward County or approved by the City of Coconut Creek in a natural forest community, a local area of particular concern, a natural resource area or an urban wilderness area, and specimen trees are folded into that group. A specimen tree has a DBH of 18 inches or more and a condition rating of 60 percent or higher under the Guide for Plant Appraisal, 9th edition, with most Ficus species excluded other than strangler fig, short leaf fig, rusty fig and F. jacquinifolia. A historical tree carries historical value tied to the region, state, nation or world. Sec. 13-447 adds that protected trees and animals are listed in F.S. Ch. 581 and that habitats of significant value must be preserved in their natural state or mitigated, with invasive exotic plants eradicated as needed.

Section 13-448(k) sets the extra procedures. Every local area of particular concern, natural resource area, urban wilderness inventory site and environmentally sensitive land of at least two acres was designated a natural forest community when the ordinance took effect. The City Commission can designate more after a public hearing, with notice published in a Broward County newspaper and mailed or hand delivered to owners at least 15 days ahead. The commission must find at least two acres with canopy, subcanopy and groundcover and native vegetation from one of five communities: scrub, pine flatwoods, high hammock, low hammock or cypress wetland.

Specimen trees and any tree of 18 inches DBH or larger must be preserved or relocated if feasible. Otherwise the owner pays into the tree preservation trust fund based on the tree's appraised value under the Trunk Formula Method, with an appraisal from a certified arborist, and the city can accept replacement trees of equal value instead. Historical and special status trees never qualify for the small-lot single-family exemption or the franchised-utility notice exemption.