Sarasota County

You DO NOT need a permit to trim or remove trees in Sarasota County (not including the City of North Port or the City of Sarasota) if your existing home is owner occupied and does not fall under any permit requirements listed below.

Sarasota County requires a tree removal permit IF:

• The existing home has not been issued a certificate of occupancy.
• The existing home is not owner-occupied.
• The property is a vacant lot/parcel.
• The property is commercial.
• The tree is located on common ground within an association or development.
• The tree is considered to be a "Grand Tree" (see link below).
• The tree was originally planted or relocated pursuant to a Tree Permit. (This usually relates to new homes. There is a 7 year survival clause in the ordinance that stipulates that trees planted pursuant to a tree permit must remain alive and in the ground for 7 years from the date the permit was closed.)

Exceptions:

• The tree is on the most recent Florida Exotic Invasive Pest Plant Council Category I list of invasive species.
• The tree is a Brazilian Pepper, Punk or Melaleuca, Australian Pine, Carrotwood, Chinaberry, Chinese Tallow or any tree species prohibited by the Invasive plant Species Ordinance No. 90-01, as amended.
• Removal is necessary to re-establish electric service or in the interest of public safety, health, and general welfare during or immediately after a severe weather event or other electrical Emergency situation.
• The tree is 100% dead and is not in a county right of way or a designated preserve.
• The tree is on residential property and meets the criteria set forth in F.S. 163.045.

Tree Permit Conditions (Non-Grand Trees):

If a permit is granted, you may be required to replace the tree(s) being removed, unless it is within a right-of-way. Replacement trees must meet the following requirements:

• All tree planting should be completed prior to final inspection.
• All trees planted shall be Florida #1 or better and a minimum of eight feet (8') tall with a 2-inch (2") diameter. All trees shall have a mulched bed a minimum of three feet (3') in diameter and three inches (3") deep.
• No more than 25 percent of the total replant requirement may be Cabbage Palm or Wax Myrtle unless otherwise approved by Environmental Protection Division staff.
• All trees planted or relocated shall be replaced by the current property owner should the trees die anytime within seven years after planting, per Section 54-590(f) of the Sarasota County Code.
• Alternatives with respect to size and species may be approved if the applicant demonstrates that such substitutions will be consistent with the purposes of the Trees Code. Written approval from the Administrator is required before planting any alternative tree.
• Trees shall be placed so that they will develop freely and at maturity will not crowd utility lines or other structures. The root ball must be planted at the proper height and in accordance with accepted nursery standards. Trees shall have a mulched bed a minimum of three feet (3') in diameter and three inches (3") deep to conserve water and promote growth.
• If trees need to be staked, it shall be done in a manner that will not injure the tree. The straps attached around the trunk shall be a broad, soft material and shall be tied loosely enough to allow movement of the trunk in the wind.
• If greater than ten (10) trees are required to be planted on a site, a minimum of three (3) species shall be planted with no one species comprising more than 50 percent of the total numbers of trees planted.
• All replacement trees shall be a minimum of three feet (3') from a property line and six feet (6') from any utilities (above or below ground). All trees planted and pruned must adhere to the ANSI A300 standards and must have adequate room, when planted, to mature freely. See Section 54-589 (6).

Tree Permit Conditions (Grand Trees):

All Grand Trees shall be replaced on a DBH inch for DBH inch basis. When the Administrator determines that site-specific conditions limit or prevent the replacement of Trees on-site (e.g., exceeding the one Tree for each 2,000 square feet replanting requirement), a fee of $200 per DBH inch not replanted must be paid to the reforestation special revenue fund.

Note: To Calculate DBH, measure the trunk at a point 4.5' from the ground. Take the circumference measurement and divide it by 3.14 to get the trunk diameter. If a swelling, branch, or fork in the trunk occurs at 4.5 feet, then measure the circumference below this point. Measure forked trees at the point below the fork where the circumference is least.