A special permit to remove or trim a tree may be required by your local government or homeowner's association. An overview of some of the local ordinances can be found here on our website. This information is intended to be an informational summary only and is ever changing. Please be sure to consult with the proper governing authorities for the most current information prior to having work performed on your property.

We are very familiar with all of the various rules throughout Sarasota County and are happy to help you navigate through any necessary permitting or certified arborist documentation requirements. Keep in mind, the majority of properties in Sarasota County are exempt from permitting requirements, so before you worry about that, just give us a call for a brief phone consultation to quickly get the answers you need.

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On July 1, 2019, House Bill 1159 went into effect. This new law prohibits a local government from requiring a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property if the tree presents a danger to persons or property, as documented by a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect. It is important to note that this law does not prevent homeowner associations from requiring an architectural review or planting of replacement trees.

Click Here To View CS/HB 1159

OUR ADVICE: Before you spend the money hiring a certified arborist or landscape architect, we recommend contacting your city or county arborist first. If your tree is truly a danger to persons or property, it is unlikely that the city or county will require a permit in the first place. Secondly, even if you obtain the necessary documentation to remove a protected tree without a permit, the best practice is to put this document on file with the governing body before removing the tree. There have been cases where a governing body disagreed with the issuer of the document after the removal and therefore, still imposed a fine. Keep in mind, the definition of 'dangerous' is not always crystal clear. It is in your best interest to confirm that you won't have a legal battle on your hands after the sawdust settles.