Wellington, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- ULDC § 7.7.3
- Trigger
- Environmental site assessment finds listed species
- Reviewing division
- Wellington Planning and Zoning division
- Relocation
- Requires agency-approved relocation plan
- Preserve protection
- Perpetual conservation easement, F.S. § 704.06
Summary
In Wellington, any development application whose environmental site assessment finds a listed plant or animal species must coordinate with the regulating state or federal agency before construction. The applicant follows that agency's required actions to preserve the species, and relocation to an off-site preserve needs an approved relocation plan filed with Wellington's Planning and Zoning division.
Sec. 7.7.3. - Listed species. ... If the environmental site assessment reveals the presence, or probability, of listed species the following shall apply: ... A.The applicant shall submit written evidence to the PZ division of coordination with the applicable agencies concerning the listed species;B.The applicant shall take the actions determined to be appropriate by the regulating agency to preserve the listed species; andC.Relocation of listed species to an off-site preserve may be permitted providing that the regulating agency approves a relocation plan and the approved plan is submitted to the PZ division.D.Additional general information related to listed species is available in the DRM.
Full Breakdown
Section 7.7.3 of Wellington's Land Development Regulations applies whenever an environmental site assessment submitted with a subdivision, master plan or site plan application reveals the presence, or even the probability, of a listed species. The applicant must first submit written evidence to the Planning and Zoning division showing it has coordinated with the applicable regulating agency about the species found. The applicant then must take whatever actions that agency determines appropriate to preserve the species on site. Relocating a listed species to an off-site preserve is allowed only if the regulating agency approves a relocation plan and that approved plan is filed with the Planning and Zoning division; Wellington's Development Review Manual carries additional listed-species submittal detail.
Under the related Section 7.7.4, any preserve area created to protect a listed species must be secured by a perpetual conservation easement consistent with Florida Statutes Section 704.06, held by Wellington and reviewed by the Wellington Attorney before a final development order issues, with passive recreation, observation and preserve maintenance as the only uses the easement allows.
Violations & Fines
Wellington's Planning and Zoning division reviews the required coordination evidence and any relocation plan before a development order or building permit can move forward; a project that lacks agency coordination or an approved relocation plan for a listed species cannot receive final development approval. Because preserve areas tied to listed species are secured by a recorded conservation easement, any later encroachment is enforced through Wellington's critical-resources violation process, which can require restoration at the property owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a listed species is found on my Wellington project site?
Can a protected species just be moved off my Wellington property?
Who enforces listed-species protection in Wellington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wellington
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Wellington to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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Protected Tree Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Palm Beach County handle protected tree species.