Tree removal Palm Beach County

Tree removal laws vary from one county to the next. You will find that certain regulations in your county do not apply in other countries.

For that reason, this article will be focusing on tree removal and specifically for people in Palm Beach county.

Since tree removal or trimming is a serious operation in many counties, you need to get your facts straight before going ahead with tree removal.

There are large fines for illegal tree removal in all counties.

You will learn about local tree trimming and removal regulations, how much it might cost you, the process you can follow to remove trees as well as if there are permits required.

What are the tree trimming codes for Palm Beach County?

For Palm Beach County, there are a few trimming codes you should be familiar with to stay out of trouble.

The first one is that you should not trim the excess of one-third of the fronds or branches on the tree. This will be considered as over-pruning which is a violation of the codes.

With palm trees, you should not prune above the horizon line unless you have diseased or dead fronds.

A minor violation includes where a tree or trees are damaged to a level that they will never regrow to regain their natural canopy.

A significant violation is when you damage a tree when trimming, to a level that it does not regrow to gain a natural canopy less proper pruning.

All violations of the tree trimming code will result in a fine.

Will I need a permit to remove a tree?

In some cases yes while in other cases you do not need a permit. Here is how it works. If you fall under commercial sites and multi-family, then you need to obtain a permit for you to remove a tree.

For people who fall under a single-family development, the only time you will be required to have a permit in case you are removing trees in a common area or a perimeter buffer.

What does tree removal typically cost?

The average cost is $871, but can vary from $225 to $3850. It depends on the size and location of the tree. Palm removal starts at $120
Depending on factors such as access to the tree, the size of the tree, palm species and trunk diameter you may have to pay more. If you want to remove a tree in the middle of buildings, then you will pay higher.

The bigger the size of the palm tree the higher the cost of removal. This also directly relates to the diameter of its trunk.
Some palm tree species are easy to remove and cost less. Others have spikes that make the work difficult hence increasing the cost of removal.

How to hire a tree removal service

The process of hiring a tree removal service should be followed precisely. The first thing is to choose a good service provider. Make sure that the company has qualified arborists, they should have credentials like arboriculture certificate minimum level 3 and also be insured.

Then make sure that the company is insured. In case of damages to you or themselves, it will be easy to handle the situation. Make sure that they also have reviews online showing that they offer quality work. Then consider their quotes to make sure that they are offering good prices for the job.

Tree removal laws & permits West Palm Beach FL

Can I remove existing trees from my property?
All multi-family and commercial sites it is illegal to remove any tree without a permit Tree Removal Permit. Single-family developments must also have a permit to remove perimeter buffer and common area trees.

Can I trim my trees?
Trees must have a 20-foot canopy prior to trimming. Branches no larger than 1 inch in diameter may be cut when shaping, no more than 25 percent of the canopy may be removed in a one-year period. Hat-racking violators may be fined $250 per tree and/or trees replaced, refer to ULDC Article 7, Landscape.

Do I need a permit to clear my property?
A vegetation removal permit issued by the Department of Environmental Resources Management 561-233-2400 is required for all commercial or multi-family sites and single-family residences on 2½ acres and or larger. Single-family residences on less than 2½ acres require only a valid building permit to clear.

tree removal permit issued by the Department of Environmental Resources Management 561-233-2400 is required for all commercial or multi-family sites and single-family residences on 2½ acres and or larger. Single-family residences on less than 2½ acres require only a valid building permit to clear.

What are the controlled species?
Trees that are allowed in limited quantity and contingent on locations. Black Olive trees shall not be planted within 15-feet of any parking area. No more than 10 percent of required trees shall be Ficus and shall not be located within 30-feet from any structure or utility. Silk oak and rosewood shall not be planted within 500-feet of a preserve area.

What trees are prohibited on my property at the time of construction pursuant to the Landscape Code?

Australian Pine
Brazilian Pepper
Melaleuca
Ear leaf Acacia
Schefflera and Carrotwood

west palm beach city logo

Tree removal ordinance West Palm Beach FL

Tree removal permit application form West Palm Beach FL

2300 N Jog Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33411-2741
Phone: 561-233-5000
Fax: 561-233-5212

Tree removal laws & permits Boca Raton FL

It is illegal to cut down, destroy, remove or damage any tree without first obtaining a tree permit.

The following trees are considered a local pest and may be removed without approval in Boca Raton:
Schinus terebinthinfolius (Brazilian Pepper Tree)
Metopium toxiferum (Poisonwood)
Melaleuca quinquenervia (Melaleuca)
Casuarina equisetifolia (Australian Pine)

Hazardous trees do not require a permit
If any tree is determined to be in a hazardous or dangerous condition so as to endanger the public health, welfare or safety, and requires immediate removal without delay, a verbal authorization may be given by the development services department and the trees removed without obtaining a written permit as herein required.

bocaratoncitylogo

Tree removal ordinance Boca Raton FL

Tree removal permit application form Boca Raton FL

More information

Boca Raton City Hall contact
201 West Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Phone (561) 393-7700

Tree removal laws & permits Boyton Beach FL

In Boynton Beach, single-family property owners generally are exempt from paying a fee or obtaining a permit if they do the work themselves on their own property.

A fee is required to remove trees from common areas, such as in a gated community or on commercial property, especially if a tree services contractor near you is used to do the work.

Generally, the fee is 2 percent of the total value of the work

If somebody is performing work in the city, and they don’t have a tree trimming or removal license or the owner a permit, they’ll end up paying 8 percent of the total value of the work in penalties.

city of boynton beach logo

Tree removal permit information Boynton Beach FL

Tree removal permit application form Boynton Beach FL

City Hall: 3301 Quantum Blvd, Suite 101
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
Phone: 561-742-6000

Tree removal laws & permits Delray Beach FL

To remove any tree in Delray Beach you will require a work permit from your city. You can find a link to the application form below.

In most cases you will be required to replace the tree with a sapling, or if it is for construction you will need to replace the removed trees with new trees of equal size.

Delray beach florida city logo

Tree removal permit information Delray Beach FL

https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/home/showdocument?id=4708

Tree removal permit application form Boynton Beach FL

https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/home/showdocument?id=4674

Tree removal laws & permits Jupiter FL

Can I remove a tree in a residential neighborhood?
If you live in a neighborhood with a Homeowners Association, you do not need Town approval, only Home Owners Association approval unless it’s a street tree or a tree on an undeveloped lot.

Can I remove mangroves?
No removal is permitted of mangroves unless you first receive a State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection permit and provide it to and gain approval from the town. State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection # is 561-681-6600.

Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree?
You do not need a permit to remove a dead tree. Depending upon where you live, you may need to replace it.

I want to remove a tree or modify landscaping on commercial property – do I need permission?
These properties require a Vegetation removal permit for Commercial, Multi-family and Industrial. If modifying landscaping – say a few plant switch-outs with other plants, then a zoning determination letter requesting the changes. If they are doing a significant amount of change in the landscaping, they will need to submit a new landscape plan with a site plan amendment fee and a letter of request. Contact Planning & Zoning at 741-2323.

city of jupiter logo

Tree removal permit information Boynton Beach FL

https://www.jupiter.fl.us/faq.aspx?TID=38

210 Military Trail
Jupiter, FL 33458

Tree removal laws & permits Palm Beach Gardens FL

Do I need a City permit to remove a tree or a palm?
Yes, please contact the City Forester at 561-799-4243 or mhendrickson@pbgfl.com for more details.

Do I need a City permit to trim a tree or palm?
No, you can trim a palm tree or regular tree for that matter without approval. However, tree pruning must be done in accordance with the City’s pruning code and ANSI 300 pruning safety standards.

More information is available on the City’s website (link).

palm beach gardens city logo

Tree Trimming laws Palm Beach Gardens

The City of Palm Beach Gardens has specific standards for tree trimming in Section 78-328. Pruning (PDF) of the Land Developments Regulations, which limit and define the type of pruning allowed to establish healthy, strong trees and palms. Also, there are many reasons for tree pruning, safety being the primary one. Please review the information on Crape Myrtle Pruning (PDF).

For information on tree trimming prices, please visit our tree trimming cost guide for more details.

Tree removal permit application form Palm Beach Gardens FL

https://pbgfl.com/636/Applications-and-Forms

Tree removal laws & permits Royal Palm Beach FL

You may not remove a tree in Royal Palm beach city without first getting permits from the city. When you do obtain a permit, the work needs to be carried out by a licensed professional arborist.

If the tree is dead, deteriorated, or diseased, you will not require a permit before removal. You will need to document the state of the tree before removal and get the nod from a professional arborist.

Tree replacement
In most cases, you will be asked to replace the tree that has been removed.

Exemptions
No vegetation protection permit shall be required for the removal of vegetation in the
Following situations:

https://www.royalpalmbeach.com/DocumentCenter/View/10944

See section 15.78 for details

royal palm beach city logo

Tree removal ordinance Royal Palm Beach FL

Tree removal ordinance Royal Palm Beach FL

https://www.royalpalmbeach.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/349

Royal Palm Beach cit contact details
1050 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard
Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411
Telephone (561) 790-5128 Fax (561) 790-5129

Tree removal laws & permits Palm Springs FL

Tree Pruning
The Village requires that trees and palms be pruned in accordance with standards of the National Arborist Association. Property owners, landscape companies and handymen are all responsible for understanding these pruning standards.

Fines may be assessed for over-pruning, improper pruning (hat-racking), and illegal tree removal.

The following guidelines are offered to ensure proper pruning is performed:

  • No more than 25% of the tree canopy may be pruned/removed within a year
  • Branches should be cut at the point of origin, close to the trunk or parent branch
  • Healthy palm fronds above the horizontal line should not be removed
  • Climbing spurs should not be used to climb trees for pruning purposes

When a branch or frond is growing directly into/under a utility facility, pruning should be done by removing the entire branch, and not by cutting the branch at a defined clearance zone

https://www.vpsfl.org/index.aspx?NID=287

palm springs florida city logo
Ben McInerney
Author: Ben McInerney - Ben is a qualified arborist with 15 plus years of industry experience in Arboriculture. He ran a successful tree service before turning to writing and publishing. Ben is dedicated to providing users with the most accurate up-to-date information on everything trees.