Dorchester County requires a Tree Removal Permit from the Zoning Administrator to destroy any Protected tree. Even an occupied single-family lot of one acre or less must still get a permit to remove a non-pine Grand tree of 24-inch DBH.
The permit that matters is the county Tree Removal Permit. Under the Tree and Canopy Protection Standards, it is unlawful to fell or destroy a Protected tree, Grand trees at 24 inches DBH and Significant trees at 15 to 24 inches, without one. The striking part is the homeowner rule: a single-family lot of one acre or less with two years' certificate of occupancy is exempt from protecting Significant, Required, and pine trees, but not non-pine Grand trees. So a homeowner still needs a permit to remove a 24-inch live oak. Applications are made at least three business days ahead. Summerville's town permit is separate and stricter.
Destroying a Protected or Grand tree without a permit violates the ordinance. Development removals require a tree survey; unauthorized Grand-tree loss can force mitigation planting and hold up the land disturbance permit.
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See how Dorchester County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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