St. Petersburg, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected tree
- Shade ≥4" dbh or understory ≥8" dbh
- Specimen tree
- Shade tree ≥12" dbh
- Grand tree
- Protected tree ≥30" dbh, laurel oak excluded
- Signature tree, Poinciana/Jacaranda
- ≥8" dbh
- Signature tree, Kapok/Banyan
- ≥30" dbh
- Trigger for permit
- Meeting any size class, § 16.40.060.5.3
Summary
St. Petersburg's land development code sorts regulated trees into size classes at City Code § 16.90.020.3: a Protected tree is any shade tree 4+ inches dbh or understory tree 8+ inches dbh; a Specimen tree is a shade tree 12+ inches dbh; a Grand tree is a protected tree 30+ inches dbh, excluding laurel oak; and select non-native Signature trees get protection at set sizes too.
Grand tree shall mean any protected tree which is 30 inches dbh or larger. Grand trees do not include laurel oaks (Quercus lurifolia). Grand trees shall be considered to be a "specimen" tree as that term is used in Florida Statutes. ... Protected tree shall mean any shade tree which is four inches or larger diameter at breast height (dbh) and any understory tree which is eight inches or larger in diameter at breast height (dbh) and which is not identified in this section as an unprotected or prohibited tree. ... Signature tree shall mean any non-native tree which because of the size, prevalence and history in our community warrants recognition and protection. A signature tree shall be any of the following species of trees which is eight inches dbh or larger: Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia), Jacaranda (Jacaranda acutifolia), or any of the following species of trees which is 30 inches dbh or larger: Kapok (Ceiba pentandra), Banyan (Ficus Urostigma). ... Specimen tree shall mean any shade tree which is 12 inches dbh or larger.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 54).
Full Breakdown
The definitions section spells out exactly which trees trigger the City's permit and protection rules. " A fourth category protects specific non-native trees valued for local history: "Signature tree shall mean any non-native tree which because of the size, prevalence and history in our community warrants recognition and protection," applying to Royal Poinciana and Jacaranda at eight inches dbh or larger, and Kapok and Banyan at 30 inches dbh or larger. 3, meeting any of them means a tree cannot be removed or heavily trimmed without a City permit.
Violations & Fines
The definitions themselves carry no penalty, but removing or damaging a tree that meets these thresholds without the required permit is punishable under § 16.40.060.5.6: a $500.00 fine per conviction, mandatory replacement trees sized to the estimated dbh of the largest tree illegally removed, or payment of the tree's appraised value (via the Trunk Formula Method) into the City's environmental enhancement fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every tree on my property "protected" under this code?
Why does laurel oak get treated differently from other oaks?
Are palm trees ever classified as "Signature trees"?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Petersburg
Florida rules heatmap·Compare St. Petersburg to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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