- Tree Removal & Regulations
Orlando Tree Removal Permit Guide: The Essential Checklist for Homeowners and Businesses Using Professional Orlando Tree Removal Services
Dealing with a large, hazardous, or simply unwanted tree on your property in Central Florida can be stressful enough without adding confusing local bureaucracy to the mix. Before the first cut is ever made, one of the most crucial, and often overlooked, steps is navigating the City of Orlando tree removal permit process.
For homeowners and commercial property managers, illegally removing a protected tree—even unknowingly—can result in thousands of dollars in fines and required mitigation. This isn’t just a matter of following the rules; it’s about protecting your property rights and the city’s unique canopy.
At Tree Amigos Orlando, we believe that professional Orlando tree removal services should handle more than just the physical labor. They should also manage the complex paperwork. This comprehensive guide details everything you need to know about Orlando’s tree regulations, outlining when a permit is mandatory, when you’re exempt, and how our team handles the entire process to ensure your project is 100% compliant.
Table of Contents:
Understanding Orlando’s Grand Tree and Heritage Tree Ordinances
The City of Orlando has some of the most rigorous tree protection laws in Central Florida, designed to preserve the area’s beautiful, mature tree canopy. The laws primarily focus on two classifications: Grand Trees and Heritage Trees. If your tree falls into one of these categories, obtaining a permit for removal is almost always mandatory unless it is certified as irrevocably hazardous.
What is a Protected Grand Tree?
A tree is typically classified as a Grand Tree based on its size, specifically its Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). The exact requirements can vary slightly, but generally, a tree is considered “Grand” if it meets or exceeds a certain DBH threshold.
| Tree Species | Minimum DBH for Grand Tree Status (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Oak (Live, Laurel, etc.) | 24 inches or greater |
| Magnolia | 20 inches or greater |
| Certain Pines | 30 inches or greater |
| Other Hardwoods | 20-24 inches or greater |
How to Measure DBH
DBH is measured at 4.5 feet above ground level. If you are unsure of your tree’s status, our certified arborist Orlando team will perform this crucial measurement as part of your free initial consultation.
The Heritage Tree Distinction
The term Heritage Tree is sometimes used interchangeably with Grand Tree, but in some municipal codes, it may refer to specific trees designated for their historical significance, age, or rarity, regardless of whether they meet the minimum DBH requirement. Always assume a large, mature tree requires scrutiny under the local code.
When is a Permit Required for Tree Removal in Orlando?
A permit is required whenever you plan to remove a healthy protected tree. This often occurs during construction, renovation, or a major landscape redesign where the tree interferes with new development. In these cases, the permit process is lengthy and often requires compensation or mitigation (e.g., planting new trees or paying into a city tree fund) for the loss of the canopy.
Exemptions: When You Can Skip the Permit Application
Not every tree requires a permit for removal. The city allows for the immediate removal of trees that pose an immediate, verifiable threat to people or property, or those that are clearly non-native or invasive. Knowing these exemptions can save significant time, especially when dealing with urgent situations.
Dead, Diseased, or Hazardous Trees (The Key Exemption)
If a tree—even a protected Grand Tree—is dead, severely diseased, or constitutes an immediate hazard, the permit requirement can be waived or handled after the fact, provided the condition is properly documented.
Proof is Essential
- To qualify for this exemption, the tree’s condition must be documented and certified by an ISA Certified Arborist. The arborist’s report must confirm that the tree is in irreversible decline or poses an immediate, substantial risk of failure that cannot be mitigated by pruning or other methods.
- The Tree Amigos Procedure: Our Orlando tree removal services include an initial arborist assessment to officially declare the tree’s hazardous status. This critical step ensures you are protected from potential fines. If a tree has fallen due to a storm, this documentation is essential for insurance claims, which we also assist with.
Common Exempt Species in Central Florida
The City of Orlando does not typically regulate the removal of certain common trees, especially those considered invasive, non-native, or prone to rapid growth and structural weakness.
Examples of Trees Often Exempt from Permit Requirements (Consult Code for Final Verification):
- All species of Palm trees (though sometimes size-dependent).
- Australian Pine, Brazilian Pepper, Chinaberry (common invasive species).
- Any tree below the minimum Grand Tree DBH requirement (e.g., a young, small specimen).
Important Note: Even if a tree is exempt, using qualified Orlando tree removal services is vital. Improper removal can still damage surrounding property or utilities.
The Step-by-Step Orlando Tree Permit Process (When Tree Amigos Takes the Lead)
If your project requires the removal of a healthy, protected tree, a formal application must be submitted to the City of Orlando’s Planning or Permitting division. Navigating this bureaucratic maze is where the expertise of a professional service like Tree Amigos Orlando pays dividends.
Step 1: The Arborist’s Assessment and Report (The Foundation)
The first and most critical step is a formal report prepared by a Certified Arborist. This report must include:
- Species Identification and DBH: Exact size and type of the tree.
- Health and Condition Analysis: A detailed assessment of the tree’s vitality.
- Rationale for Removal: A clear justification why the tree must be removed (e.g., conflicts with approved construction plans, poses a moderate risk).
- Mitigation Plan: A proposal detailing how the loss of the canopy will be offset, typically through replacement planting or payment of an impact fee.
Step 2: Permit Application Submission and Review
The application, along with the arborist’s report and a detailed site plan (showing the tree’s location relative to structures and property lines), is submitted to the city. The city reviews the request to ensure it meets all criteria and that mitigation is adequate.
Required Documentation Checklist for the City
- Completed Tree Removal Permit Application Form.
- Site Plan or Survey showing the exact location of the tree(s) to be removed.
- Certified Arborist Report (if removing a protected tree).
- Mitigation Plan details.
- Applicable Permit Fees.
Step 3: Site Inspection and Final Approval Timeline
A City official, usually a city arborist, will conduct a site visit to verify the information in the application and the arborist’s report. The timeline for approval can range from a few days for straightforward hazardous exemptions to several weeks for complex construction-related removals requiring mitigation.
The Cost of Non-Compliance: Why You Need Certified Orlando Tree Removal Services
The financial penalty for removing a protected tree without the necessary permit is severe. The City of Orlando’s code mandates substantial fines, often calculated per caliper inch of the tree’s DBH.
- Mitigation Fees Multiplier: You could be required to pay the standard mitigation fee plus a penalty, potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in fines for a single large Oak.
- Required Replacement: In many cases, the property owner is also required to replace the illegally removed tree with a new, large-caliper specimen at their expense, which can cost thousands in materials and labor.
Choosing a company that is fully insured, licensed, and deeply familiar with the local code, such as Tree Amigos Orlando, is the only way to safeguard your investment and avoid these crippling penalties.
Why Tree Amigos Orlando is Your Permit Compliance Partner
When you hire Tree Amigos Orlando for your tree removal project, you’re not just contracting labor; you’re engaging a full-service permit compliance partner.
We manage the entire regulatory burden for you:
- Free Initial Assessment: We immediately identify if your tree is protected and requires a permit.
- In-House Arborist Support: We coordinate the ISA Certified Arborist reports needed for both hazardous exemptions and standard permit applications.
- Permit Submission and Tracking: Our administrative team prepares and submits all required documentation to the City of Orlando and tracks its progress until approval is granted.
- Guaranteed Compliance: We guarantee that all work performed by our Orlando tree removal services team is in full compliance with the City of Orlando and Orange County ordinances, providing you with total peace of mind.
Don’t let the fear of a fine or the confusion of the permit process delay necessary tree removal. Trust the local experts who understand the canopy as well as the code.
Contact Tree Amigos Orlando today for a free, no-obligation quote and a guaranteed permit review for all your Orlando tree removal services needs.
