Cobb County, GA Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Cobb County's Tree Preservation Ordinance is among the stricter in metro Atlanta, codified in Zoning Ordinance Ch. 134, Article XXII. Applies to all land disturbance, new construction, and clearing on lots over 1 acre or in designated tree-protection overlay areas. Protected trees include hardwoods 8 inches DBH and larger (oaks, hickories, maples, beeches) and pines 12 inches DBH and larger. Development sites must submit a Tree Save/Replacement Plan prepared by a certified arborist, showing existing canopy and replacement calculations tied to a tree-density unit (TDU) formula. A minimum tree density must be maintained post-construction. Boundary trees, specimen trees (24 inches DBH and up), and trees in stream buffers (25/50/75-ft undisturbed buffer per MRPA) cannot be removed without special approval. Cobb Community Development Tree Ordinance Administrator reviews plans. On individual built-out residential lots, homeowners may remove dead/hazardous/diseased trees without permit but any healthy tree removal on properties subject to an approved tree plan requires re-approval.