In the City of Savannah a property owner may not clear land or remove a protected tree without first obtaining a clearing permit from the city administrator (arborist). Removal in a wetland or marsh also triggers state Coastal Marshlands review.
Savannah Code Sec. 8-11005(3) requires a clearing permit under Sec. 8-11006 before clearing property or removing any tree, except where exempted. The permit application is reviewed through the city's Site Development Permit / Plan Review process, and the arborist may require replacement trees, planting of large preferred species, or a payment into the Tree Fund. Public-tree removal needs the administrator's written approval and compensation to the city. Wetland trees are protected, so marsh-edge removals may also need a state Marsh Permit under O.C.G.A. § 12-5-280. Unincorporated Chatham County works through the shared MPC; apply before any clearing near buffers, marsh, or right-of-way.
Violations are punished under the City Code; each day is a separate offense. Damaging a city tree requires paying the value difference plus evaluation, corrective, stump, and replacement costs (Sec. 8-11012).
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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See how Chatham County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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