Fines For Cutting Down Trees in Your Yard

[FireStation46]

Originally Posted by MortonR

I removed a large oak in my yard about 5 years ago. It was adjacent to my driveway and causing the driveway to lift due to its roots growing underneath. I also wanted it gone, despite not wanting to take any tree down if possible, because the leaves and other junk that fell off of it stained my driveway and the cars parked on it.

I had my tree guy submit the permit to remove it to the County. In Hillsborough the requirement is that if you remove an oak tree you have to replace it with a similar amount of trees elsewhere on the properly. basically, if the tree you're taking down has a caliper (diameter) of 20", you have to plant 20" of trees elsewhere on your properly. This could be five five inch trees, 10 two inch trees, etc., etc. This is covered in the County's approval of your permit.

In my case I didn't have a problem replacing the tree with others. However, the County made no requirement for replacement in this case for whatever reason, so had I chosen to not replace it I didn't have to.

I did plant a couple other trees on the lot to provide shade, so I more or less did what they would have requested had they done so.

RM

If you ever sell could they pull the permit to confirm you planted trees that are not there or ones that just suddenly got planted but don't show expected growth from the time you planted to the time you sell.

Inspectors are aggressive as the government wants monies from any fines they can collect

Be careful

Good luck

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by FireStation46

If you ever sell could they pull the permit to confirm you planted trees that are not there or ones that just suddenly got planted but don't show expected growth from the time you planted to the time you sell.

Inspectors are aggressive as the government wants monies from any fines they can collect

Be careful

Good luck

I doubt it. At least in Hillsborough the tree permits are not indexed in the permit database for the properties to the best of my knowledge. I have looked in mine and there's nothing in it about tree permits, just things like AC, plumbing and electrical.

RM

[HWTechGuy]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

People need to read the article, the headline is misleading........

But it is not a free-for-all on trees. Under the new state law, homeowners must get an arborist's evaluation saying the tree is dangerous before doing anything.

I did read the article and expect everyone else would do the same. I know that's quite a lot to ask.


My neighbor just had a pro tree company take down two trees yesterday because you no longer need to get a permit, etc. The tree company confirmed they were dangerous (which they were), and that's all it takes, as your quote indicates. One tree was completely dead, another was almost completely dead and leaning.

[floridarebel]

People should be able to cut down or plant any trees they want in their own yard without permits.

[CapnTram]

WSAMON: I found this thread while doing my own research on the same question.


My property is in Unincorporated Pinealls County, between Largo and Clearwater.


Have you found your answer yet? And, if so, was it specific to the City of Largo or based on Pinellas County restrictions?


If I find anything out, I will post if for you here. If I don't, I plan to go directly to the County Permit office and ask them myself.


Thanks,


Cory

[techie_g]

Most counties would not know if you cut down a tree in the first place unless your nosey neighbor wanted to get in your business, or complain to the county. If you hired a pro trimmer, then it might be another story. I know in my area, if a tree is a hazard, then you can take it down, no questions.

[wsamon]

Originally Posted by CapnTram

WSAMON: I found this thread while doing my own research on the same question.


My property is in Unincorporated Pinealls County, between Largo and Clearwater.


Have you found your answer yet? And, if so, was it specific to the City of Largo or based on Pinellas County restrictions?


If I find anything out, I will post if for you here. If I don't, I plan to go directly to the County Permit office and ask them myself.


Thanks,


Cory

I did not get any info on the actual fine, how easy it is for them to find out and fine you, etc. beyond the "they could force you to replace it with a tree of like kind and stature which could cost 10s of thousands of dollars".

However, as others have said here, if you hire a tree company with a certified arborist that says the tree is dangerous and needs to go, you're compliant with the law and in the free and clear. At least that's my understanding. I found a couple that said it meets the criteria, partly because it's close to power lines (already growing through cable lines) and partly because it's growing underneath and into the branches of a larger canopy tree. That's the route I took, so it cost me a bit more - about $3k - but I got a professional job done in 1/2 a day and it's all legal to the best of my knowledge.