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Environmental Resources Division

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1. Do I need a permit to remove a tree?

Yes, a permit is required to remove a tree.

• No person, organization, society, association, or corporation or any agent or representative thereof, directly or indirectly, shall clear land, cut down, destroy, or move or effectively destroy through damaging any tree which has attained a caliper dimension of at least two inches and is situated on property described above without first obtaining a permit as herein provided.


• A tree removal penalty fee of $500 shall be charged for each tree removed without a permit.


• This fee shall be in addition to any other remedy available to the city pursuant to this section.

2. Do I need to replace a tree that is removed from my property?

Yes. As a condition to granting a permit, the city may permit the applicant to relocate or replace a tree being removed at the applicant's expense in lieu of payment of tree removal fee, either within the project site, or in the event that replacement of the tree within the site is not practical, with the concurrence of the city, on public or private land owned by the permit applicant within the city, retaining for future use or donating to any citizen or group of citizens, for any purpose deemed in the public interest by the city commission. A replacement tree shall be a type of species having shade potential and other positive values, as further described in the landscape manual, at least equal to that of the tree being removed, and shall be a minimum of 12 feet in height when planted. The planted tree shall not be of the nuisance types as defined elsewhere herein. Trees must be relocated or replaced as specified by this section within 30 days of the granting of a tree removal permit; provided, however, if the trees are to be removed to facilitate construction or development activities, said relocation or replacement must be completed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy on the construction, development site or phase of development, as applicable. The trees to be relocated or replaced must be maintained in a healthy growing condition and guaranteed for a period of at least one (1) year.

For tree replacement requirements of one to five trees, a minimum of 30% native species shall be utilized as a replacement tree. For six to 10 replacement trees required, a minimum of 30% native species shall be utilized. For 11 to 20 replacement trees required, a minimum of 30% native species shall be utilized. For 21 to 50 replacement trees required, a minimum of 30% native species shall be utilized. For 51 or more replacement trees required, a minimum of 30% native species shall be utilized.

3. What type of tree does not require a tree removal permit?

View the Nuisance Plant List to see the species that are exempt from regulations regarding removal.