The urban forest, comprised of trees on private property, rights of way and parks throughout the City, is a valuable asset and resource. The City of St. Petersburg employs an urban forester who implements the tree protection regulations, as well as tree maintenance crews who trim and remove trees as needed. For its commitment to preserving and enhancing the urban forest, the City of St. Petersburg has been awarded the Tree City USA award for 22 consecutive years, from 1986 to 2007.
This section of the Development Services web site provides information about the identification, value and maintenance of trees and the City's regulations related to trees.
Effective July 17, 2007, St Petersburg's tree removal permitting program has changed. For one and two family residential property, trees which require a permit to remove will be of the following species at 4" dbh (4.5 feet from ground level) or larger
Maples, Acer spp.
Tupelo, Nyssa spp.
Pignut Hickory, Carya glabra
Red Bay, Persea borbonia
Sugarberry, Celtis laevigata
Pines, Pinus spp.
Sea Grape, Coccoloba uvifera
Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis
Buttonwood, Conocarpus erecta
Chickasaw Plum, Prunus angustifolia
Dogwood, Cornus spp.
Flatwoods plum, Prunus umbellata
Holly, Ilex spp.
Oaks, Quercus spp.
Cedar, Juniperus spp.
Willow, Salix spp.
Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua
Cypress, Taxodium spp.
Magnolia, Magnolia spp.
Elms, Ulmus spp.
Red Mulberry, Morus rubra
Prickly Ash (Wild Lime), Zanthoxylum fagara
And Royal and Cabbage Palms which have four feet or more of clear trunk.
Permits can be obtained by either the property owner or a tree removal service on behalf of the property owner. This change applies only to single family and duplex residential property; permits continue to be required for all changes to an approved landscape plan for multi family, office and commercial property.
Tree removal permits can be requested by contacting Guntis Barenis in the Development Services Department at 893-7472. An inspection is required; the permit fee is $20.
