Hillsborough County Extension
Urban Forestry Website
Tree Removal and Pruning Permits

Note: This page is for informational purposes only, and not intended to substitute for direct contact with government agencies responsible for the implementation, and interpretation of municipal, county, and state regulations.

• City of Tampa
• Hillsborough County
• Plant City
• Temple Terrace
• State of Florida

City of Tampa

Contact info: 813-931-2648 Forestry Division

The City of Tampa protects trees, wetlands, and natural resources by regulating the trimming or removing of trees.

For general tree permit information see http://www.tampagov.net/dept_natural_resources/how_do_i/ 

For more detailed information, see Chapter 13 of the Municipal Ordinances - Landscaping, Tree Removal, and Site Clearing.

Hillsborough County

Contact info: 813-272-5920

Pruning Grand Oaks
Grand Oaks, as defined by Hillsborough County (generally over 34" diameter), are protected under the Hillsborough County Land Development Code.

Removal by a homeowner falls under the Tree Removal Permit process explained below.

Pruning of a grand oak is prohibited unless conducted in accordance with the ANSI A 300 Pruning Standards performed by an Arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Registered Consulting Arborist with the American Society of Consulting Arborists. A notarized affidavit affirming that a certified or registered consulting arborist will conduct or supervise the pruning shall be submitted to the County prior to the pruning.

Tree Removal
A Tree Removal Permit is required, unless exempted otherwise by the Land Development Code, for the removal of trees on residential and non-residential properties for all tree species, with the exception of exempted trees as defined by the Land Development Code. A list of exempted species is included with this packet.

Link to fact sheets on all trees listed as acceptable replacements within the Hillsborough County Tree Removal Permit application.

Plant City

Contact info: 813-659-4200 ask the operator for the Planning Department

Plant City Ordinances
Chapter 98 VEGETATION Secs. 98-97--126 - 132
Subdivision II. Tree Removal and Replacement Permit
(a) No person shall cut down, remove, relocate, damage, destroy or in any manner abuse any protected
tree in the city without a permit issued by the planning and zoning department.
(b) No tree shall be removed from any city lands, public parks, or city rights-of-way by other than city crews under this article in performance of their duties.

Temple Terrace

Contact info: 813-558-1900
Temple Terrace ordinances require permits to prune large limbs, and to remove protected and grand trees. For details see this Temple Terrace Tree Removal page.

State of Florida

Mangrove Trimming and Alteration
The law regulating the trimming and alteration of mangroves (The Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act) was amended by the 1996 Florida Legislature and became effective July 1, 1996, replacing all previous state regulations regarding the trimming and alteration of mangroves. For complete details, see the Department of Environmental Protection's Mangrove webpage.