Sarasota, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- DBH threshold
- 4.5 inches or greater
- Includes
- Live oaks, listed palms, mangroves
- Excludes
- Citrus, nursery stock (§ VII-318)
- Permit trigger
- Removal needs city permit
Summary
Almost any tree 4.5 inches DBH or larger, plus listed palms and mangroves, counts as a City of Sarasota 'protected tree' requiring a permit before removal.
Protected tree: Any self-supporting live woody plant of at least four and one-half inches in diameter measured at DBH (which is approximately equivalent to a circumference of at least 14¼ inches), either a dicotyledon or monocotyledon of a species which has a main stem or cluster of main stems and commonly exceeding ten feet in height and having an average mature spread or crown of greater than 15 feet. Any tree planted to satisfy a requirement of any portion of this Code, including, but not limited to, trees with a DBH less than four and one-half inches when planted to fulfill either tree removal mitigation or other zoning requirements. All species of Red Mangrove, White Mangrove and Black Mangrove and Buttonwood Mangrove are classified as trees. Typical palms are included in this definition such as: Queen Palm, Pindo Palm, Date Palm, Coconut Palm, Washingtonia Palm and Royal Palm. Sabal Palmetto (Cabbage Palm) with greater than eight feet clear trunk.
Removal: The relocation, removal, cutting down, poisoning, topping, lolly popping, damaging or any other action that causes irreparable injury to a protected tree.
Replacement tree fund: A fund serving as the repository for the minimum fees paid by applicants for tree removal permits who are required by section VII-323 of this Code to pay a minimum fee to the city when a replacement tree cannot be planted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Zoning: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
City of Sarasota's zoning code protects any self-supporting live woody plant of at least four and one-half inches DBH, plus listed palm species (Queen, Pindo, Date, Coconut, Washingtonia, Royal) and all four native mangrove species, under the definition of 'protected tree.' That broad threshold, not just grand trees, is what triggers the citywide requirement that a tree removal permit be obtained from the director of development services before cutting, relocating, poisoning, or topping a qualifying tree on private or public property, subject to limited exemptions for citrus and nursery stock.
Violations & Fines
Removing a protected tree without a permit triggers a fine up to $225 per inch of DBH removed, tripled permit fees, and required on-site replacement under § VII-325.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tree is protected under City of Sarasota's tree code?
Are all species of that size protected?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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Protected Tree Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sarasota County handle protected tree species.