Coral Gables, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected threshold
- 18-inch DBH or greater
- Excluded
- nonnative fruit trees (mango, avocado, citrus)
- Excluded
- multi-trunk palms except Paurotis Palm
- Removal/modification
- requires tree preservation agency permit
- Max penalty
- $15,000 for city-property trees
Summary
Coral Gables' tree code protects any tree with an 18-inch-or-greater trunk diameter as a "specimen tree," but carves out nonnative fruit trees, county-exempt species, and most multi-trunk palms from that protection.
Specimen tree means a healthy tree (as determined by the city) with any individual trunk which has a DBH of 18 inches or greater, but not including the following: 1) all trees listed in section 24-49(4)(f) of the Miami-Dade County Code; 2) nonnative fruit trees that are cultivated or grown for the specific purpose of producing edible fruit, including, but not limited to, mangos, avocados, or species of citrus; 3) all multi-trunk trees in the palm family, except Paurotis Palm/Everglades Palm (Accelorrhaphe wrightii), which have a minimum overall height of 15 feet.
Site means that parcel of land for which a tree permit is sought.
Tree means a woody or fibrous perennial plant with an upright trunk of four and one-half inches or more DBH or 12 or more feet in overall height. A tree species include palms, Pandanas, Traveler's trees (Ravenella madagascarienis) and Clerodendrum species.
Tree abuse shall include:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Fee Schedule: Supplement 2 | Zoning Code: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 82-28, a "specimen tree" is any healthy tree with a trunk DBH of 18 inches or more, as determined by the city. Three categories are excluded regardless of size: trees listed in Miami-Dade County Code § 24-49(4)(f); nonnative fruit trees grown for edible fruit, such as mangos, avocados, or citrus; and multi-trunk palm species, except the Paurotis (Everglades) Palm, which is protected once it reaches 15 feet in overall height. Removing, cutting down, relocating, or modifying a specimen tree requires a permit from the city tree preservation agency under Sec. 82-29.
Violations & Fines
Code enforcement can fine violators up to $1,000 for a first offense or $5,000 for repeat offenses, plus up to 60 days in county jail; willfully injuring or moving a specimen tree on city property or right-of-way without approval carries fines up to $15,000 per tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are mango or avocado trees protected as specimen trees in Coral Gables?
Do palm trees count as protected specimen trees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coral Gables
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Coral Gables to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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Protected Tree Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle protected tree species.