Dorchester County, SC Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

2 of the Zoning and Land Development Standards, the county defines three classes of Protected trees. A Significant Tree is any tree measuring twelve inches (12") to twenty-four inches (24") in diameter at breast height (DBH), excluding pine, and is protected because of its contribution to the environment, property values, and quality of life. A Required Tree is any tree planted to satisfy a requirement elsewhere in the ordinance, such as a landscaping, buffer, or replacement planting condition, and is likewise protected once installed. 4 makes it unlawful to fell, improperly prune, or otherwise destroy a Protected Tree without first obtaining a Tree Removal Permit from the Zoning Administrator.

C. Code § 48-23-205(B), commercial tree farms and nurseries, FAA-certified airports clearing for safe aircraft clearances, and certain rural home sites in Rural zoning districts. Public utilities are also exempt from clearing along easements and rights-of-way for water, sewer, electricity, gas, drainage, telephone, or television lines, provided they have signed an agreement with the Zoning Department minimizing cutting of Protected trees. Property owners applying to remove a Significant or Required tree must generally document the tree's location, species, and DBH on a site plan or plat as part of the tree survey required for development.

The classification scheme is distinct from, and narrower than, the county's separate protections for Grand trees (24" DBH or greater), which carry their own heightened mitigation and replacement rules under a different subsection of the ordinance.