Hall County, GA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Automatic size threshold
- 18 in. DBH (oak, hickory, pine, cedar)
- Small hardwood threshold
- 8 in. DBH (dogwood, redbud, sourwood)
- Rare/unusual species
- Protected regardless of size
- Health requirement
- Life expectancy over 15 years
- Die-back limit
- Under 29% radial tip die-back
- Retention target
- 15 units per acre of site
Summary
Unincorporated Hall County protects trees rated a "significant tree" under UDC Sec. 8.3.2: hardwoods and softwoods 18 inches DBH or larger, and dogwoods, redbuds, or sourwoods 8 inches DBH or larger, automatically qualify, and any rare or unusual species can qualify at a smaller size if in fair or better health.
Significant tree. A tree in fair or better condition which has been determined to be of a high value by a trained arborist or other trained professional as approved by the Director because of its species, size, age, or other professional criteria. A tree is considered in fair or better condition if:1.Its life expectancy is greater than 15 years;2.It has a relatively sound and solid trunk with no extensive decay or hollow with less than 29 percent radial tip die-back; and3.It has no major insect or pathological problems. Hardwood trees such as oaks and hickories and softwood trees such as pines and cedars whose diameters are 18 inches DBH or more and small hardwoods such as dogwoods, redbuds or sourwoods whose diameters are eight inches DBH or more are considered significant trees due to size. A tree of lesser size than the preceding may be significant if it is a rare or unusual species or is of historical significance or is specifically used by design as a landscape focal point of the project.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 2 defines a significant tree as one an arborist or other Director-approved professional finds to be of high value because of species, size, age, or other criteria, provided it is in fair or better condition, meaning a life expectancy over 15 years, a sound trunk with less than 29 percent radial tip die-back, and no major insect or disease problems. Size alone confers protection for oaks, hickories, pines, and cedars at 18 inches DBH or more, and for smaller hardwoods such as dogwoods, redbuds, or sourwoods at 8 inches DBH or more, but a tree below those thresholds still counts as significant if it is a rare or unusual species, historically significant, or used as a designed landscape focal point.
That status matters because Sec. 4 requires a permit and an approved tree protection plan before any significant tree, or any other tree 10 inches DBH or larger, is removed or killed within the tree protection zone. Sec. B exempts owner-occupied single-family lots, public utility rights-of-way work, active tree farming or agriculture following state best-management practices, family land transfers to relatives, and minor subdivisions from these protections.
Violations & Fines
Damaging or removing a significant tree without an approved permit and protection plan violates Sec. 8.3.4 and 8.3.5, enforceable under the UDC's general remedies and penalty provisions, Sec. 11.4.3 and 11.4.4: the county can seek injunctive relief, and a conviction is a misdemeanor punishable under Sec. 1.50.020 by up to a $1,000 fine or 60 days in jail, with each day of the violation a separate offense, plus mandatory tree replacement under Sec. 8.3.6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tree "significant" under Hall County's tree ordinance?
Does a rare tree species get protection even if it is small?
Do farms in Hall County have to follow the significant-tree rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hall County
Compare Hall County to another location·View the Georgia tree protection overview
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