City of Venice

As of January 1, 2020, the City of Venice has assumed responsibility (previously under the jurisdiction of Sarasota County) for permitting all tree removal and trimming projects within Venice City limits.

The following is a brief summary of the city ordinance designed to quickly answer questions that are important to our customers. A link to the complete ordinance is included at the bottom of this page.

While Sarasota County uses the term “Grand” for certain large protected trees, the City of Venice has 3 different categories of protected trees:

DBH (Diameter at Breast Height)

TREE TRIMMING

In general, you DO NOT need a permit to trim trees in the City of Venice. However, there are a few exceptions listed below. 

The City of Venice requires a tree trimming permit IF:

• The tree qualifies as a Heritage or Venetian tree and you will be pruning branches larger than 10” in diameter or larger measured 12” from the branch union.
• The tree is within a Canopy Road Protection Zone and you will be pruning branches 2″ in diameter or greater and must be supervised by an ISA Certified Arborist or ASCA Register Consulting Arborist.

Pruning Applications must include a current photograph of the tree, a sketch plan or a current aerial photograph locating the tree on the property, and reason for branch pruning.

Additionally, while there is no requirement to use a “certified” arborist for pruning of Heritage or Venetian tree, the work must be performed in accordance with the ANSI A (300) standards or you may be subject to a fine. Steve’s Tree does follow these standards for all trimming projects.

TREE REMOVAL OR RELOCATION

You DO NOT need a permit to move or remove trees in the City of Venice if your property is less than ½ acre, zoned RSF and does not fall under any permit requirements listed below.

The City of Venice requires a tree removal permit IF:

• The ‘protected’ tree is located on a parcel larger than 1/2 acre.
• The ‘protected’ tree is located on a parcel zoned anything other than RSF (properties within a mobile home park with RMH zoning will require a permit).
• The ‘protected’ tree is on commercial property.
• The ‘protected’ tree is located on common ground within an association or development.
• The tree is considered to be a “Heritage, Venetian or Canopy Road Tree”.
• The tree is in a conservation area or easement.
• The tree or vegetation is within a Canopy Road Protection Zone.
• The tree was originally planted or preserved as part of an approved binding master plan, site and development plan, preliminary plat, building permit, tree permit, or construction plan.

Exceptions:

• Work during or after a declared state of emergency declared by the city that has been exempted from the requirements by the city council or the city manager as appropriate.
• Removal of invasive plant, or diseased or infested trees upon receiving written confirmation from the city arborist, Florida Forest Service, Professional Landscape Architect or Certified Arborist.
• The tree is on residential property and meets the criteria set forth in F.S. 163.045.

For projects involving removal of a Heritage, Venetian or Canopy Road tree, a tree protection plan prepared by a Professional Landscape Architect or Certified Arborist to justify the removal is required. Steve’s Tree does offer this service and can apply for the permit on your behalf.

Heritage or Venetian trees may be removed if the tree is located in an area where a structure or improvement will be placed and the applicant provides a report bearing the signature of an architect, Professional Landscape Architect, or licensed engineer providing a determination that the proposed structure or improvement cannot be reasonably redesigned to preserve the Heritage or Venetian tree.

Heritage and Venetian Trees shall be replaced at a ratio of one tree inch to one tree inch (1:1). If there is insufficient land area on a site to accommodate the proposed trees, the applicant shall alternatively pay into the tree mitigation fund $175 per inch equivalent to the tree inches not able to be accommodated on the site. 

REMOVAL PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

• A tree protection and replacement plan prepared by a Professional Landscape Architect or Certified Arborist.
• A complete tree survey and inventory of protected trees (4 1/2″ DBH and larger) within the project area.
• An inventory of identified trees by type (Common Name) and size (DBH).
• A complete site plan showing proposed buildings, grading, street, access ways, sidewalks, hardscape, proposed and existing utilities.
• Methods of tree protection.
• MITIGATION may be achieved by planting new trees (one tree inch to one tree inch) or payment of $175 per inch not planted to the tree mitigation fund, or a combination of planting trees and payment to the fund.

REPLACEMENT TREES

• Replacement trees shall include Large and Medium Canopy Trees listed in the City’s Master Tree Species List. The requirement is 1 tree replanted for each tree removed, except for palms. Any Palm on the “Florida Friendly” list is also an acceptable replacements, but would require 3 trees replanted for every 1 tree removed.
• Large Canopy Trees shall be a minimum of two and one-half inches (2 1/2″) caliper measured six (6) inches from the soil line.
• Medium Canopy Trees shall be a minimum of one and one-half inches caliper (1 1/2″) measured six (6) inches from the soil line and minimum eight feet (8′) in height.

IMPORTANT LINKS & DOCUMENTS

City of Venice Tree Permit Application

City of Venice Tree Protection

City of Venice Tree Regulation Information

City of Venice Tree Preservation, Protection, And Replacement Code (Current)

City of Venice Tree Canopy Analysis 2020

City of Venice Adopt-A-Tree Program

How to Contact the City Arborist:

Jim Yelverton, Tree Program Administrator/City Arborist
Email: jyelverton@venicegov.com
Phone: 941-882-7433 or 941-486-2626 x7433