Highlands County, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Highlands County Code § 12.12.600
- Trigger
- Land clearing where listed species may occur
- Required review
- Environmental Clearance Report, § 12.12.614
- Listed tree species example
- Pygmy fringe tree, Scrub plum
- Enforcing office
- Development Services Director
- Illegal clearing penalty
- Mitigation fee plus 3-year development bar
- Appeal path
- NRAC, then Board of County Commissioners
Summary
Unincorporated Highlands County requires an Environmental Clearance Report before any land clearing on a site that supports state or federally listed endangered or threatened plant species, including several tree and shrub species unique to the Lake Wales Ridge scrub. The rule targets the county's globally rare xeric upland habitat.
It is the purpose of this division to provide standards to identify, protect, acquire, and preserve the native vegetative communities which are endemic to Central Florida and Highlands County, and to restrict activities known to adversely affect the endangered and threatened species and their habitat, including those of special concern. ... Common Name Scientific Name Designation ... Pygmy fringe tree Chionanthus pygmaeus Endangered ... Scrub plum Prunus geniculata Endangered ... Florida ziziphus Ziziphus celata Endangered
Full Breakdown
600 sets standards to "identify, protect, acquire, and preserve the native vegetative communities which are endemic to Central Florida and Highlands County" and to restrict activities that adversely affect endangered and threatened species and habitat, including species of special concern. The section places special emphasis on ridge land scrub, the globally imperiled habitat type found along the Lake Wales Ridge in unincorporated Highlands County. Subsection C lists species endemic to the county's xeric uplands designated endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, the Florida Statutes, or the Florida Administrative Code; the list includes the Pygmy fringe tree (Chionanthus pygmaeus), Scrub plum (Prunus geniculata), Highlands scrub hypericum (Hypericum cumulicola), Scrub mint (Dicerandra cornutissima), Garrett's mint (Dicerandra christmanii), Scrub blazing star (Liatris ohlingerae), Carter's mustard (Warea carteri), and Florida ziziphus (Ziziphus celata), plus animal species such as the Florida scrub jay and sand skink.
Subsection D adds species not endemic to the county, such as the bald eagle and red-cockaded woodpecker, that must also be addressed if found on site. 619. 620 cannot issue where a listed species is identified until clearance is obtained. J.
Violations & Fines
Land cleared without the required environmental clearance or land clearing permit under § 12.12.620.F exposes the property owner to a penalty mitigation fee set by the Board of County Commissioners based on acreage cleared, a bar on any further development or land clearing on the site for three years, mandatory replacement of the vegetation or restoration of the habitat under a management plan, and separate penalties against any land clearing company or registered contractor that cleared the land without a permit. Penalty fees are deposited into the county's conservation trust fund, and a penalty decision may be appealed under § 12.12.619.J.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Sebring, Avon Park, or Lake Placid?
What plants trigger the environmental clearance requirement?
Who decides whether clearing can proceed?
What happens if land is cleared before getting clearance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Highlands County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Highlands County to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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