Tree Removal Permit, Pensacola, FL: City of Pensacola Tree Ordinance
Numerous rules and regulations govern the removal and care of trees in Florida. Pensacola city officials care about the health of the tree canopy and natural environment, requiring anyone who wishes to remove a tree to apply for a tree removal permit. It’s not a simple process, and there are many different factors to consider.
If you understand the steps that go into tree removal, you’ll be able to avoid violating the Pensacola tree ordinance and incurring financial or legal repercussions. However, suppose you don’t have the time to familiarize yourself with landscape regulations? In that case, you might hire Tri-State Tree, a professional tree removal service that will do all the hard work for you.
Acquiring a Permit
Pensacola City regulations state that you need a tree removal license to remove or alter a tree in any way. Pensacola, FL, requires applications to include landscape protection plans and documents that outline several essential details about the tree and its planted area. These details include things like:
- The location, size, and species of the tree that needs removal
- Identification of protected trees for reservation purposes
- Proposals for how you’ll avoid damaging other vegetation in the area
An accredited architect or civil engineer must submit the landscape protection plan and include a detailed site map.
The Parks and Recreation Department will survey the tree and surrounding area to determine whether to allow the tree removal. The city will issue you a permit if the tree meets one or more of the following conditions:
- The tree’s location hampers visibility for drivers
- The tree’s a likely safety hazard for public spaces
- The tree obstructs the improvement or extension of driveways
- The tree obstructs ideal construction topography
- The tree is dead, dying, or otherwise weakened
Heritage Tree Mitigation and Replacement
Heritage trees (or protected trees) are certain species of healthy trees that measure 34 inches or greater in diameter. Pensacola has jurisdiction over them on both public and residential land. While the city requires permits to remove all trees, the city expects you to take extra steps to preserve heritage trees in any way you can.
If conditions require you to cut a heritage tree down, then the city requires you to get a permit through the Parks and Recreation Department for a city arborist’s assessment. They will determine if relocating the tree is feasible. If not, the property owner is responsible for replanting a tree of the same species and diameter in a different area.
Pensacola, FL, instituted a fine to encourage heritage tree care and proper applications for tree removal permits. The city determines the penalty based on the size of the limbs or tree removed without a permit. If you need to remove a tree from your property but would rather not have to deal with the process yourself, call our team at Tri-State Tree at 850-876-8003 for a free estimate today!
