Forms, Applications & Resources

Arbor Permit

ARBOR PERMITS CHECKLIST

Tree removal in association with a development process for a commercial or residential development is reviewed with the Site or Subdivision Plan application.

Exemptions:
Developed single family lots 5 acres or less with a house, exemption does not include wetland areas. NO WETLAND IMPACTS
Bona-fide agricultural exempt property and trees being removed for an ag purposes. SCLDC Sec. 60.5 Exemption
Pest plant: exotic tree species

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ARBOR PERMIT APPLICATION

Regulations: Definitions: Historic Tree

SCLDC Chapter 60

FS 193.461 and 163.3162 Agricultural Exception

Submittal Requirements/Review

Application for tree removal (Arbor Permit)
Written statement on reason for removal
Tree preservation statement for tree protection during construction

Site Plan showing:

Location of existing/proposed improvements and or structures
Proposed changes in elevations, site grading or major contours
Location of existing or proposed utility easements
Location of all trees on site that is greater than 3” in diameter measured 4 ½” above the ground designating the trees to be retained, removed, relocated, or replaced.
Legend for trees to be removed
Required mix of replacement trees: see Sec 60.22 Table Mix of Species
Replacement stock: see Sec 60.22 Table of Replacement Standards

Typical granting of Arbor Permits:

Tree is located in buildable area or right-of-way where structure will go and/or it unreasonably restricts the permitted use of the property.
Tree is diseased or injured, in danger of falling on pedestrians or endangering structure.
Tree interferes with utility services or creates an unsafe visions clearance.
Tree is diseased or infested, remove to prevent transmission of disease or infestation.
Tree needs to be removed for agricultural purposes.

LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE SEC 60.22 REPLACEMENT TREES:

(f) Relocation or replacement. As a condition of the granting of a permit, the applicant may be required by the Planning and Development Director, or his or her designee, to relocate or replace (with authorized replacement trees) the trees being removed. Replacement trees, when required, will be provided based on the DBH of the trees being removed and the caliper (trunk diameter measured one foot above the ground) of the replacement stock trees. A site plan depicting the proposed location of the replacement trees is required as part of the permit application. The replacement standards below will apply, provided, however, that under no circumstances shall the number of required replacement trees exceed 250 trees per acre.

TREE REPLACEMENT STANDARDS

DBH of Tree Removed	Number of Replacement Trees Required for Each Tree Removed	Minimum Caliper for Standard Replacement	Replacement Trees Required for Each Tree Removed due to an Arbor Violation
3 inches to less than 12 inches	Two (2) replaced for one (1) removed	Two (2) inches	Four (4) replaced for one (1) removed
12 inches to less than 24 inches	Four (4) replaced for one (1) removed	Two (2) inches	Six (6) replaced for one removed
24 inches or larger	Five (5) replaced for one (1) removed	Two (2) inches	Eight (8) replaced for one (1) removed

In determining the required relocation or replacement of trees, the following shall be considered:

Existing tree coverage;

Number of trees to be removed and retained. Special consideration will be given to the retention of Florida native species and trees with a DBH of twenty-four (24) inches or larger;
Area to be covered with structures, parking, and driveways;
Topography and drainage of the site and its environs;
Character and ecology of the site; and
Characteristics and amount of trees, shrubs and grass proposed for planting on the site by the applicant. Special credit may be given in consideration of planting of trees that exceed the minimum diameter requirements or are selected from the "Preferred Tree Species" list.

(g) Alternatives to standard tree replacement. If the total number of trees required cannot be reasonably accommodated on a site, the total caliper inches shall be met by the placement of fewer, but larger, trees on the site, as approved by the Planning and Development Director, or his or her designee;

(h) When ten (10) or more trees are required to be planted on a site to meet the requirements of this chapter, a mix of trees shall be provided at least one (1) of which shall be native to the Central Florida Region and no single tree species may constitute more than fifty (50) percent of the trees planted. The minimum number of species to be planted is set forth below.