Tampa Tree Code Ch. 14 protects Grand Trees and specific protected species, requiring permits and significant mitigation before removal, with the Tampa Tree Commission reviewing appeals and conditional removals citywide.
Tampa's Tree Code Ch. 14 designates Grand Trees, generally large heritage live oaks and other significant species, plus a list of protected trees by species and size threshold. Removing a Grand Tree without permit triggers some of the strongest penalties of any Florida city. The Tampa Tree Commission, established by Code, reviews variance requests and citizen appeals. Replacement requirements scale with caliper inches removed, and on-site replanting is preferred over fee-in-lieu payments. Florida Statute §163.045 narrows local rules for limited residential exemptions but Tampa's framework remains robust.
Unpermitted removal of a Grand Tree can incur replacement of tree value plus fines reaching several thousand dollars per tree and stop-work orders on associated construction.
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