Miami-Dade County, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Trimming/removal
- DERM Class I permit required
- Top pruning
- banned in coastal band communities
- Professional trimmers
- must register with DERM annually
- Scope
- countywide, including all 34 cities
- Penalty
- up to $500 fine or jail
Summary
Miami-Dade County requires a DERM permit before anyone trims, cuts, or alters a mangrove tree anywhere in the county, and bans top pruning of mangroves in coastal band communities outright, with only a power-line exception.
It shall be unlawful for any person to top prune or authorize, allow, suffer or permit the top pruning of mangrove trees in a coastal band community, except for specified trimming activities exempt from permitting requirements pursuant to Section 403.9326, Florida Statutes... No class I permit shall be approved or issued for the top pruning of coastal band mangrove trees except for that top pruning which is necessary for the protection of overhead power lines.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Under Miami-Dade County Code section 24-49(4)(h), mangrove trees anywhere in the county are carved out of the exemptions available to other trees and are always subject to Chapter 24's Article IV wetlands permitting. Top pruning of mangroves in a coastal band community is banned outright under section 24-48.16, with a narrow exception for trimming necessary to protect overhead power lines. Anyone who trims a mangrove -- even under Florida's homeowner exemption -- must first register with the county's Division of Environmental Resources Management under section 24-48.17 and pay the registration fee, or hold Professional Mangrove Trimmer certification.
Violations & Fines
Violating the mangrove permit, top-pruning ban, or trimmer registration rule is punishable under County Code section 24-30 by a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both -- each day the violation continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to trim mangroves on my own property in Miami-Dade County?
Can mangroves be topped or hedge-trimmed in Miami-Dade?
Does this rule apply inside cities like Miami or Coral Gables?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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