How to Get a Tree Removal Permit in Dunedin, Florida
Updated: Sep 28
Published September 7, 2026. Last reviewed and revised September 27, 2026 against the City of Dunedin Land Development Code as codified through Ordinance No. 26-01, Supplement 48. Next review due March 27, 2027. By Forest, Property Intelligence Specialist, Ken's Tree Service.
In Dunedin you need a city tree permit before removing any tree measuring 4 inches or more in trunk diameter, dead or alive, unless the species is on the city's exempt list. The city takes applications through the Dunedin Citizen Self Service Portal, the code's fee schedule lists the Tree Permit at $25.00, and City staff field check the application and inspect the site before deciding.
Whether the city's rules or Pinellas County's apply at a given address is a question of its own, and our guide to whether city or county tree rules apply in Pinellas County sets out how the city and county codes answer it. This article covers the City of Dunedin in full, for homeowners and for contractors, developers, site designers and commercial, multifamily and HOA property managers.
The part that surprises people is that the permit is a decision rather than a formality. Dunedin's ordinance opens from the position that every protected tree stays where it is, and then sets out the specific conditions under which one may come out. Knowing those conditions before you apply is the difference between an approval and a denial you did not see coming.
Everything below is sourced to the codified ordinance at Chapter 105, Division 3, Sections 105-35 through 105-35.24, to the supporting sections of the Land Development Code and Code of Ordinances named in each section, and to the city's own published materials. Where the city's materials and its code disagree, both are named and the code is identified as the law.
What counts as a protected tree in Dunedin?
Section 105-35.4 sets the threshold: "The provisions of this section shall apply to all trees four (4) inches DBH (diameter at breast height) or greater." The Appendix A definitions define a protected tree as any tree species 4 inches or greater in trunk diameter measured at 4.5 feet above grade and not exempted from the division. The same definition adds that "The term protected tree shall also include any tree that has been designated as a Grand Tree."
Two further points sit underneath that. A tree, in Dunedin's definitions, is a woody plant with one or more well-defined perennial trunks and a formed crown of foliage that reaches a total height of at least 15 feet at maturity. And the same definition expressly names four mangroves wherever they occur inside the city limits: Red Mangrove, White Mangrove, Black Mangrove, and Buttonwood or Button Mangrove.
The rules reach every kind of property. Section 105-35.2 says "The terms and provisions of this section shall apply to all real property situated in or subsequently annexed into the corporate limits of the City." The same section applies them to "property owners, abutting property owners, tenants and all persons required to obtain a permit pursuant to this section."
Four inches is a low threshold, and it cuts both ways. A tree most homeowners would call small very often needs a permit. A tree genuinely under 4 inches does not. Measuring first is worth the thirty seconds.
How to measure your own tree
Diameter is measured at 4.5 feet above the ground, which is why you will see it written as DBH, for diameter at breast height. You do not need a special tool. Put a tape measure around the trunk at that height to get the circumference, then divide by 3.14. That is your diameter.
A trunk measuring 13 inches around is roughly 4 inches in diameter, which is the threshold. A trunk measuring 63 inches around is roughly 20 inches.
A correction to what this article said before September 27, 2026: the code's rule for a trunk that forks below 4.5 feet belongs to the Grand Tree section only. Section 105.35.5 says "If the tree produces a fork below 4.5' above the grade, the trunk diameter will be a composite of each section of trunk", and that sentence sits inside the Grand Tree qualifications. We searched the whole code and found no rule for measuring a multi-trunk or forked tree against the 4 inch threshold. For a multi-stem tree near the line, ask the City Arborist how it will be measured before you rely on a number.
Mangroves are a separate matter
Mangroves are inside the city's definition of a tree, and they carry separate law as well. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection lists Pinellas County among the local governments delegated mangrove trimming authority under Section 403.9324, Florida Statutes, reachable at 727-453-3385. Inside the city, the construction-on-waterways erosion control provisions go further: Section 105-41.14.4.4 says the red, black and white mangrove and buttonwood "shall not be removed," and that "The maintenance or planting of these or suitable alternate plants as approved by the City arborist shall be deemed an acceptable means of erosion control." Mangrove work starts with the county's delegated program and the City Arborist, not with an ordinary tree permit.
Which trees can be removed without a permit?
Section 105-35.4 lists the species the tree provisions do not apply to: "The provisions of this section shall not apply to, nor shall a tree removal permit be required for, the following species of trees". A tree on this list needs no permit at any size:
Australian pine (Casuarina spp.)
Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius)
Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardiopsis)
Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)
Cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana)
Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum)
Citrus (Citrus spp.)
Ear tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpa)
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp., except Eucalyptus cinerea)
Fig trees (Ficus spp.)
Indian rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo)
Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
Orchid tree (Bauhinia variegata)
All palm species except cabbage palm with 6 feet of clear trunk or greater (Sabal palmetto)
Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera)
Punk tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
Silk oak (Grevillea robusta)
Toog (Bischofia spp.)
Woman's tongue (Albizia lebbeck)
Note the Eucalyptus qualifier, which is easy to miss. Eucalyptus is exempt as a genus except Eucalyptus cinerea, the silver dollar gum. That one needs a permit.
One species where the city's own sources disagree
The ordinance and the city's published materials do not carry the same list, and the difference is one species.
Section 105-35.4 of the codified ordinance includes Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) among the exempt species, nineteen entries in total. The city's Tree Removal and Grand Tree Pruning Permits page and its Tree Protection and Preservation FAQ brochure both publish the list with Chinaberry absent, eighteen entries.
The codified ordinance is the enacted law, and it exempts Chinaberry. The practical step is still to confirm with the City Arborist before removing one, because the person reviewing your application may be working from the published list rather than from the code. Chinaberry also appears on the city's own invasive species list at Section 105-35.19, where planting any Class I invasive is illegal, so there is no reading of the rules under which the city wants a Chinaberry kept.
Are palm trees exempt in Dunedin?
Most are. The ordinance exempts "All Palm species except cabbage palm with 6' of clear trunk or greater (Sabal palmetto)". That single line turns on two things, and most summaries get one of them wrong.
Every palm species other than the cabbage palm is exempt, at any size. Queen palm, washingtonia, pygmy date, foxtail: no permit.
The cabbage palm, also called the sabal palm, is protected once it has six feet or more of clear trunk. Clear trunk means the bare trunk below the lowest fronds, not the overall height of the palm.
A cabbage palm with less than six feet of clear trunk is exempt.
Cabbage palm and sabal palm are two names for one species, Sabal palmetto, not two species. The code names both because both are in common use.
The clear trunk test is not the same as height, so a palm can look large and still sit under the threshold. Measure the bare trunk.
Dunedin and unincorporated Pinellas County have diverged on this
Unincorporated Pinellas County rewrote its tree regulations effective January 23, 2026, and Section 58-813 of the county code now lists among protected trees "(2) All palms six feet in height or larger." Dunedin's code did not make that change and still exempts everything but the cabbage palm with six feet of clear trunk.
So the same queen palm is exempt under Dunedin's code and protected under the county's in Palm Harbor. If you have been told palms never need a permit in Florida, that is the Dunedin version of the rule and it does not travel across the city line. We have written up what unincorporated Pinellas County requires separately.
Whether the county's new article reaches inside Dunedin is not settled
The live version of this article said the city's rules are the city's own. That overstated what the codes settle. Section 105-35.3 says: "By the adoption of this section, the City specifically exempts the territory within the incorporated limits of the City from the provisions of the Pinellas County Code, Ordinance No. 76-16." The county's 2026 article is a different enactment. Section 58-809 of the county code says: "This article shall apply to property, excluding county-maintained right-of-way, within the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county. Where these provisions conflict with a municipal ordinance, the municipal ordinance shall prevail."
Neither code says whether Dunedin's exemption from Ordinance No. 76-16 reaches the county's 2026 article. We do not resolve that here. Where a Dunedin property owner needs a certain answer, the City Arborist and Pinellas County are the authorities to ask, and our city or county guide records the same open question for the other north Pinellas cities.
There is also a rule about palm fronds
Section 105-35.8(G) says "no frond shall be removed from a palm (6' clear trunk or greater) that emanates from the trunk at or above a 90-degree angle that is perpendicular to the trunk unless the frond is dead or severely chlorotic." In plain terms, the fronds growing horizontally or upward stay unless they are dead or badly yellowed. The Parks Division waives the rule "In instances where a frond is touching an energized wire, blocking a sign or otherwise creating a safety hazard".
What is a Grand Tree, and what size qualifies?
A Grand Tree carries the strongest protection in the ordinance, and it is the one designation that also makes pruning a permitted activity rather than routine maintenance.
Section 105.35.5 sets two qualifications, and a tree must meet both. First, it must be one of thirteen named species at or above a minimum trunk diameter:
Bald cypress, pond cypress, longleaf pine, slash pine including the Densa variety, pignut hickory, southern magnolia, southern red cedar, sweetbay: 28 inches DBH
American elm, sand live oak: 30 inches DBH
Laurel oak, swamp laurel oak, live oak: 36 inches DBH
Second, "To achieve Grand Tree status a tree must have an overall condition rating of at least 4.0 based on the criteria and rating system for Grand Trees as defined in the City of Dunedin Tree Condition Rating Guidelines and the Tree Evaluation Form For Overall Condition rating, as provided by the Parks Division."
Both halves matter. A live oak well past 36 inches in poor condition is not a Grand Tree, and no species outside those thirteen qualifies however large it is. For a forked trunk on one of these species, the composite rule quoted above applies.
Do you need a permit just to trim a tree?
Only if the tree is a Grand Tree. Section 105-35.9 makes it unlawful to "prune any grand tree as defined herein" without a permit. Section 105-35.11(E) says "Canopy pruning and root pruning on any tree that has been designated as a Grand Tree shall be performed by or under the direct supervision of an Approved Arborist", and the Parks Division decides whether the tree can tolerate the pruning and answers in writing. The code defines an Approved Arborist as "An arborist who is currently recognized by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) as a Certified Arborist or by the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) as a Registered Consulting Arborist." That is the code's requirement for this work, stated as the code states it.
For any other tree, Section 105-35.10 exempts "Standard tree pruning, except for Grand Trees, but must be done in accordance with ANSI A300 standards." The same section exempts transplanting a tree to another spot on the same parcel, provided "the Parks Division shall be notified at least one business day in advance of transplanting operations." There are hard limits on what counts as maintenance.
The 25 percent rule, and it is cumulative
Section 105-35.8(E) says "it shall be unlawful to remove from a protected tree more than 25% of the tree's live foliage cumulatively during any twelve month period." Cumulatively is the word that catches people. Two separate visits inside a year are added together, so a crew that takes a fifth of the live foliage in spring and a sixth in autumn has put the property in violation even though neither visit crossed the line on its own.
The code also states how the city decides: "The quantity and diameter of vertical stems pruned", and "Aerial photographs or other recent photographs that would indicate the tree's appearance prior to pruning." No permit authorises going beyond 25 percent. It is simply prohibited.
Practices the city treats as illegal pruning
Topping is unlawful outright. Section 105-35.8(F) says "it shall be unlawful to perform topping as defined herein", and the definitions describe topping as "Pruning that reduces the height of a tree by making heading cuts through stems more than two years old or removing leaders back to lateral branches that are less than one third the size of the cut stem." The same subsection adds that "Crown reduction is a recognized pruning procedure referenced in the ANSI-A-300 Standards that can be used to reduce the height or width of a tree."
Section 105-35.8(D) prohibits flush cuts and stub cuts, and says "Any tree that has been improperly pruned will not be recognized as a tree left in a healthy growing condition and consequently will not meet approval by the Parks Division towards meeting tree replacement requirements."
Root pruning has its own rules
Section 105-35.8(A) says "Root pruning is prohibited adjacent to, and/or around trees 10 inches DBH and larger unless performed as specified herein and approved and supervised by the Parks Division." Where the critical root zone will be disturbed, the Parks Division decides whether root pruning can be done safely and "will establish the root prune line in the field." Under Section 105-35.8(C), roots in the critical root zone that construction will affect "must be pruned to a depth of 12 inches below the existing grade or to the depth of impact if less than 12 inches from grade", and "All root pruning must be performed by or under the direct supervision of an Approved Arborist (as defined herein)."
The code defines the critical root zone twice, and the two definitions differ. The first is "The ground area equivalent to a radius from a tree's trunk of twelve (12) inches for each diameter inch of trunk with the trunk measured at 4.5' above grade." The second is "A circular region measured outward from a tree trunk, representing the essential area of the roots that must be maintained for the tree's survival; 1 foot of radial distance for every inch of tree diameter breast height with a minimum of 8 feet." Only the second carries the 8 foot minimum, and the code does not say which governs. The live version of this article gave only the second.
Trenching for a driveway, a pool, an irrigation line or a utility run is the common way this gets crossed without anyone intending to. For underground utilities in the critical root zone, "the root pruning requirements may be waived by the Parks Division if the lines are installed via directional boring or tunneling as opposed to open trenching."
Can you prune a neighbour's tree that hangs over your property?
Dunedin's ordinance is unusually explicit about it. Section 105-35.11(A) lists "An adjacent property owner exercising their common law self-help remedy and desiring to structurally prune branches overhanging their property" as an eligible applicant. The city recognises the right and puts a process around it.
Two things follow. Routine ANSI A300 pruning of a tree that is not a Grand Tree stays exempt under Section 105-35.10. Structural pruning is different, and the code gives the neighbour standing to apply for it. Either way, the 25 percent cumulative limit applies to the whole tree, not to your side of it, and a cut that satisfies the property line and mutilates the tree is still illegal pruning of a tree that belongs to your neighbour.
The permit is a decision, not a formality
Section 105-35.13 opens with the sentence that sets the whole tone: "Every protected tree under this division shall be retained on site." It continues: "A permit for tree removal will only be granted under the following conditions". There are three, and each is quoted here whole because every condition in each one counts:
"(A) At the time of inspection, the tree(s) is dead, declining, diseased, damaged, has defective structure, is in danger of falling or is/are endangering existing structures, utility services or creates an unsafe sight clearance that cannot be mitigated."
"(B) It is found to be in the interest of the general public's health, safety and welfare that the tree(s) be removed."
"(C) The tree(s), is located in an area where a structure or improvement may be placed in accordance with other development provisions in the City Code; and the retention of the tree(s) is such that no reasonable economic use can be made of the property without removal of the tree(s), and the tree(s) cannot reasonably be relocated on or off the property because of age, type or size of the tree and architectural or site plan change to preserve the tree(s) is not possible."
Under Section 105-35.11(D), "The application for a tree permit, along with the required information, shall be field checked by City staff." Staff inspect the site and weigh the effects of the work "on the local environment and other natural features, and on economic values both within the site boundaries and surrounding area."
The exception most homeowners actually need
There is a fourth pathway, and it exists only on existing single-family residential lots. Section 105-35.14(C) says a removal permit "may be considered for a healthy trees (except Grand Trees) on single-family residential lots if all of the following conditions are met". The two conditions are that "The number of trees on the property, after the removal, meets or exceeds the minimum requirement in Table 105-35.2," and that "Good reason is found (improved aesthetics, function, removal of nuisance trees, etc.)."
The same subsection gives the owner a choice: "The homeowner may propose either the replacement of said tree(s) on the property or the complete removal." It then says "This removal is at the discretion of Parks Division." If replacement is proposed, it is one caliper inch for each DBH inch removed, meeting the replacement tree standards, or "In lieu of replacement, a fee equal to $60 per DBH may be paid to the City of Dunedin tree bank", or any combination.
So the honest answer to whether you can remove a healthy tree in your own yard is that you can ask, on a single-family lot, and the answer depends on how many trees are left behind and on the Parks Division's discretion. On any other kind of property this pathway does not exist, and removal has to meet one of the three conditions above.
Will you have to plant a replacement tree?
It depends on what is left standing afterward, which is why the minimum tree count is the number to know before you apply. Section 105-35.17 publishes it by lot size, gross area in square feet:
Up to 6,000 square feet: 2 trees
6,001 to 10,000 square feet: 4 trees
10,001 to 15,000 square feet: 6 trees
Over 15,000 square feet: 8 trees, and "One tree is required for replacement for each 2,000 square feet, or portion thereof, in excess of 15,000 square feet."
"Any trees determined by the City as left in a healthy growing condition on the site may be counted toward these minimum numbers." A lot with an approved retention or detention pond has the requirement lessened by the pond's area, measured from the top of the bank. Two further rules in the same section are easy to miss: "All required trees will be of the shade/canopy type", and the requirement "may be lessened at the direction of City staff where public easements are incorporated into a private parcel of land, or where there is found to be insufficient space for the minimum standard indicated below."
On an existing single-family lot
Where removal is granted on condition A or B, or on condition C for a tree other than a Grand Tree, and the lot still meets its minimum, no replacement is required.
If the removal drops the lot below the minimum: "the applicant will be required to plant one replacement tree for a tree removal less than 19 inches DBH and two replacement trees for 19 inches DBH or greater."
A Grand Tree removed under condition C: "one caliper inch for each DBH inch removed shall be planted back on site", or, where the site lacks space, "a fee equal to $60 per DBH removed shall be paid to the City's tree bank."
The discretionary healthy-tree pathway: one caliper inch per DBH inch, or $60 per DBH to the tree bank, or any combination.
A cabbage or sabal palm: one DBH inch of Sabal palmetto per DBH inch removed, or one caliper inch of shade/canopy tree for each three DBH inches removed, or "In lieu of replacement, a fee of $20.00 per DBH inch removed shall be paid to the City's Tree Bank."
On every other property type
"For all tree permits on property other than an existing single-family home, one caliper inch for each DBH inch removed shall be planted back on site."
The site must still meet Table 105-35.2, and where the removal is for multiple single-family home sites, "the minimum requirement must be met on each individual lot as well as for the entire property including common areas."
"If a property has insufficient space for the required replacement trees, a fee equal to $120 per DBH may be paid to the City of Dunedin tree bank." Any combination of planting and payment is acceptable.
Replacement is waived for a tree under 19 inches DBH located within the primary building pad, primary roof line or primary foundation line, where "these structures cannot be relocated even with a reduction of land coverage or a modified development plan."
A Grand Tree approved for removal is replaced with species from the Grand Tree list.
A cabbage or sabal palm follows the same three options as on a single-family lot, including $20.00 per DBH inch to the Tree Bank.
The code measures replacement trees in caliper, which it defines as "The minimum diameter of a tree measured 6 inches above the ground for trees up to and including 4 inches in diameter, and 12 inches above the ground for trees having a larger diameter."
Replacement tree standards
Section 105-35.16 makes replacement a condition of approval "unless otherwise specified." Replacement trees must be "of a commensurate tree in respect to size and species as the tree(s) removed, (i.e. shade trees species shall replace shade trees), and as recommended by, but not limited to, the City of Dunedin, Approved Tree List." The city publishes an approved tree list, and the code's wording means the list guides the choice rather than closing it. Each replacement tree must be at least 8 feet tall and 2 inches in trunk caliper, of Florida Grade #1 quality or better.
The applicant must keep replacement trees in a healthy growing condition for one year after installation, the Parks Division inspects, and "The property owner is responsible to immediately replace any trees that have died or declined to the extent that, in the opinion of the City, the tree(s) will not survive."
How do you apply?
Measure the trunk diameter at 4.5 feet and identify the species. Both decide whether the code reaches the tree at all.
Check the minimum tree count for your lot size, because it decides whether replacement will be required.
Register or log in to the Dunedin Citizen Self Service Portal and open the Tree Permit Application.
Pay the fee. The code's fee schedule lists the Tree Permit at $25.00, and the city's permit page says the $25 processing fee "must be paid with your online application." The code itself says two different things about when the fee is due; see the section on where the city's guidance and code differ.
If you are asking to remove more than five trees, include a sketch of the property, minimum 8.5 by 11 inches, showing where each one is.
City staff field check the application and inspect the site. The city's permit page says notice of approval or denial comes through the portal.
Section 105-35.11(A) is specific about who may apply:
"The legal property owner where the trunk of the tree is wholly on their property."
"A tenant in common property owner when the trunk of a tree is partially on a mutual property line (with written permission of the adjacent property owner)."
An adjacent owner exercising the common law self-help remedy to structurally prune overhanging branches.
"A tree service hired by the property owner and currently licensed with the City."
"A representative of the property owner that has a signed and notarized affidavit from the legal property owner authorizing them to make the application."
Whoever applies, Section 105-35.11(B) says "In all cases, the property owner shall be liable for any tree replacement requirements or tree bank mitigation funds assessed as a result of conditions for tree removal approval." Questions go to the City Arborist at 727-298-3279 or [email protected].
If you manage a commercial, multifamily or HOA property
This section is for an owner, association or manager of an existing site where no construction is planned. Construction starts in the next section.
The same trigger and the same exempt list apply. Section 105-35.2 applies the tree provisions to "all real property" in the city, and the 4 inch threshold and the exempt species in Section 105-35.4 carry no distinction by property type. What differs is the path to approval: the discretionary healthy-tree pathway in Section 105-35.14(C) is limited to single-family residential lots, so on a commercial, multifamily or HOA parcel every removal has to meet one of the three Section 105-35.13 conditions.
The fee is the same. Appendix C carries one entry, "Tree Permit* | $25.00", with no separate figure for a commercial or multifamily parcel. We searched the whole code for a separate non-residential tree fee and found none. The asterisk has no visible footnote in the published table.
Replacement is heavier. Every property other than an existing single-family home replaces one caliper inch for each DBH inch removed, must keep the Table 105-35.2 minimum, and pays $120 per DBH where space runs out, against $60 on a single-family lot. Where a site holds multiple single-family home sites, the minimum is met on each lot "as well as for the entire property including common areas." The building pad waiver, the Grand Tree species rule and the sabal palm options set out above apply.
Trees on an approved landscape plan. The code does not protect a tree below 4 inches DBH because it appears on an approved landscape plan, and we found no procedure for amending a landscape plan to remove a required tree. Required landscaping is protected another way. Section 105-34.5.4 says "The City will conduct an annual inspection of properties with required landscaping", and "All landscape plants utilized to meet the provisions of this section are required to be maintained in a healthy growing condition". Under Section 105-34.5.4(E), "The owner and tenant shall be jointly and severally responsible to maintain the premises as set forth in this division". Section 104-43.2 lets the zoning administrator and city manager approve "Modifications of ten percent (10%) or less of any of the landscaping and buffering standards in Chapter 105." Before a required landscape tree comes out, the practical question for the city is whether the site will still meet its approved plan.
Who applies for an association or a company. The applicant list above has no category for an association board or a property manager as such; the term property manager does not appear in the tree division. The categories the code offers are the legal property owner, a tree service hired by the owner and currently licensed with the city, and a representative holding a signed and notarized affidavit from the legal property owner. Whoever files, the property owner carries the replacement and tree bank liability. Permits run through the Citizen Self Service Portal; the city's Permits and Inspections page lists [email protected] and 727-298-3210 for portal questions.
Florida Statute 163.045 does not reach these sites. The statute's relief applies only to "residential property," which it defines as "a single-family, detached building located on a lot that is actively used for single-family residential purposes and that is either a conforming use or a legally recognized nonconforming use in accordance with the local jurisdiction’s applicable land development regulations." A commercial site, an HOA common area, a multifamily or an institutional site falls outside that definition, so the city permit process applies to them in full.
Removing a tree for construction, a pool or an addition
From here to the appeals section, this article is written for the contractor, developer, site designer or owner planning work that needs a building permit, a site plan or a plat.
What puts a project on the development track
Section 105-35.12 opens: "For tree removal, replanting, or retention on sites proposed for residential, commercial or other developments, including expansions of existing improvements on previously platted or subdivided sites, and on sites that are proposing demolition, the permit application shall be filed with the application for a building permit." The code defines development broadly: "Any man-made change in improved and unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, diking, berming, excavation, drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials." It also defines a land clearing stage: "A stage in the construction process in which trees and/or vegetation are removed from the land, i.e., proposed right-of-way excavation and paving, lake and drainage systems excavation; utility clearings, grubbings and prebuilding construction projects."
A pool, an addition, a demolition or a new home on an existing lot all sit inside that language.
When the tree permit is filed, and what it holds up
One detail here contradicts what a lot of contractors assume. The tree application is filed with the building permit application, and Section 105-35.12 says "The application for a tree removal or pruning permit shall be reviewed in conjunction with the building permit application." It is not a separate errand to run afterward.
On larger projects it comes earlier still. Section 105-35.12(D) says "For tree removal, replanting or retention for new development on sites proposed to be platted or on sites requiring site plan review in accordance with this chapter, the permit application shall be filed along with the application for preliminary plat approval, or design review approval, or amendments and additions to approved site plans."
The code ties several later approvals to the tree rules:
The building permit. Section 105-35.17 says "The standards in this section shall be required to be met as a condition of the issuance of a building permit or tree removal permit."
The certificate of occupancy, invasive plants. Section 105-35.19(B) says "Prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for new construction, all invasive exotic plants as listed as Class I invasives by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) shall be removed."
The certificate of occupancy, landscaping. Section 105-34.1 says "A certificate of compliance shall be issued by the inspector before a certificate of occupancy can be issued for any related structure." A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued before the landscaping is finished where the city accepts financial security in a form approved by the City attorney.
Time to finish landscaping. Section 104-41.3.4 gives "an additional 90 days after the date of final inspection approval of the project to complete all the landscaping requirements."
When there are no trees, or none coming out. Section 105-35.12(C) says "If there are no existing trees on the site, the applicant must submit with the building permit application a "No Trees Exist Verification Statement"." The definitions also describe a No Tree Removal Permit Required Verification: "A signed notarized statement by an authorized applicant for a Land Clearing and Grubbing Permit, Land Use Permit or a Building Permit certifying that no protected trees exist on site or that although protected trees exist on site for which any of the above-named permits are sought, their removal is not required."
What the tree submittal has to contain, and who signs it
Section 105-35.12(A) lists the site plan contents. The site plan must:
"Indicate the location, species, and size of all trees (including exempt trees) currently on the site which are four (4") inches DBH and greater."
Note and accurately locate every Grand Tree with its trunk DBH.
"Indicate if each tree is proposed for removal, replanting or retention."
Depending on the scope of the project, add "An inventory of all trees growing on adjacent properties within 25' of the property line", "The condition of each tree (overall rating of health, structure and form)", and be "completed and signed by an Approved Arborist."
Show all planned roadways, drives and other vehicular use areas, structures, signs, easements and utility lines above or below ground.
Carry "A grading plan, showing all existing and proposed grades on the site." Existing and proposed grades must be shown within 50 feet of any protected tree.
Show "The location and type of all tree barricades."
The code adds: "The City shall retain the right to reject tree inventories or site plans that are incomplete or in the opinion of City staff does not reflect industry standards."
The Tree Preservation Plan. Section 105-35.12(B) says "At the construction permit phase, all sites retaining protected trees shall submit a Tree Preservation Plan with the construction plans, prepared and signed by an Approved Arborist." It must cover trees on the site and on adjacent properties within 25 feet of the property line, and "The plan shall be a separate page of the construction plans and shall clearly delineate preservation measures to be utilized." The code's examples include barricade type and location, root prune lines with depth and length, pre-construction pruning, aeration systems, cabling and bracing, retaining walls and structural pruning plans. The Parks Division may reject an incomplete plan.
The credentials the code names. The site plan inventory and the Tree Preservation Plan are the Approved Arborist's work, defined as an ISA Certified Arborist or an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist. Separately, Section 105-34 says "All sites required to have new landscaping shall submit a landscape plan signed and sealed by a Registered Landscape Architect (registered in Florida)", showing among other things "the location of existing trees." These are the code's requirements of whoever prepares the documents.
Tree surveys elsewhere in the Land Development Code. Final infrastructure and site construction plans under Section 104-54.2(S) include "A tree survey for all areas of the project to be altered from the predevelopment condition." A development agreement proposal under Section 104-33.4.2(N) includes "A landscape plan and existing tree survey."
How much of the site's tree cover the city can make you keep
The code sets no retention percentage and no canopy coverage standard for a development site; we searched for both. Preservation runs through four rules instead.
The retention default. Every protected tree "shall be retained on site," and development removal needs condition C of Section 105-35.13: no reasonable economic use without removal, no reasonable relocation, and no architectural or site plan change that could save the tree.
The design-around duty. Section 105-35.21 states the intent "to place the obligation of the property owner to modify or reduce development impacts on the property to achieve such preservation and protection." Under Section 105-35.21(B), a building can be modified or coverage reduced to protect a tree, "however, no such reduction shall be required in excess of 30 percent."
A variance built for saving trees. The same subsection lets the owner apply to the Board of Adjustment and Appeal for a variance to save a tree with a minimum DBH of 18 inches and a rating of 3.5 or greater, varying "otherwise required lot development standards such as, but not limited to, building height, setbacks, lot coverage, and parking". Section 104-22.7.2 adds that preservation of a protected or native tree "may be considered as a relevant environmental condition" for a variance.
Grand Trees. Section 105-35.21(D) says "The developer shall preserve all tree(s) identified as Grand Tree(s) unless authorized for removal through the criteria of § 105-35.13, Guidelines for Granting a Removal Permit." That does not apply to a Grand Tree in road site distances, recovery and maintenance areas, unless the City Engineering Department determines the tree is not a problem and can be preserved.
Nesting birds can also stop a removal: Section 105-35.21(C) lists "verifiable habitat to legislatively designated endangered or protected bird species during nesting season (between January 1 and June 30)" as a denial ground, even where the tree has died, though not for a hazard tree. The code's definitions include a heritage tree and a historic tree, but no operative section uses either term.
Protecting retained trees during construction
Section 105-35.18 is the construction standard, and it is written in full here because every subsection is a site condition.
Supervision and reporting. "All work approved in the Tree Preservation Plan must be implemented by or under the direct supervision of an Approved Arborist." A monthly Project Status Report goes to the Parks Division, "the Approved Arborist shall inspect the site bi-weekly and include a status report on the tree barricades", and reporting runs "from the date the construction permits are approved until the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, unless the Parks Division decrees otherwise."
The protection zone. "It shall be unlawful for any person, during the development of any property or during the construction of any structures or the improvements of any property, to place temporary structures, solvents, materials, machinery, or temporary soil deposits within the dripline of any protected tree four inches DBH or greater." The code defines the drip line as "A vertical line of a tree canopy or shrub branch extending from the outermost edge to the ground."
Barricades before work starts. "Prior to the commencement of construction, improvement, or development, the owner, or his agents, shall be required to place specified tree barricades around all trees designated for retention." They stay in place throughout and "shall not be removed until authorized by the City."
Standard barricade. "Barricades shall be constructed using 2" × 4" lumber for upright posts, installed 5' on center, to a minimum depth of 12", with a height of at least 3' extending above grade." The posts are connected continuously with plastic orange mesh.
Chain-link. "The City may, at its option, require chain-link fencing for barricades. All Grand Trees shall be protected with chain-link fencing." The specification is steel posts at least 1⅝ inches in outside diameter and 18 gauge, 12 inches below grade, 3 feet above, at most 8 feet apart, with galvanized mesh of at least 2⅜ inch opening and 11 gauge. Movable chain link may be used if the Parks Division approves.
Nothing attached. "no attachments or wire (other than protective guy wires) shall be attached to the trees designated for retention."
Grade changes. "Where either cut or fill grade changes will occur within the dripline of a tree or group of trees as the result of development, root pruning, a retaining wall or tree well, or tree aeration system shall be constructed as specified by the Parks Division."
Utilities. "Underground utilities shall not be routed inside of the dripline of a tree or group of trees unless otherwise approved by the Parks Division." Tunneling and directional boring may be used there at a minimum depth of two and one-half feet.
Root pruning. The Section 105-35.8 rules above apply: Parks Division approval around trees 10 inches DBH and larger, a prune line set in the field, and an Approved Arborist performing or supervising.
A conflict inside the code on barricades. The Appendix A definition of a protective barrier describes a different fence: it "shall extend to the drip line and run continuously around the tree or group of trees unless otherwise instructed by the city manager, or his designee", with "two-inch by four-inch lumber set not more than six feet on center, extending not less than three feet above grade and driven not less than 18 inches into the ground", connected at the top by one by four lumber. The operative section, 105-35.18(D), sets posts 5 feet on center at 12 inches deep with orange mesh, and states no distance from the trunk. The definition is the only place the code says a barrier extends to the drip line. Confirm the barricade detail with the Parks Division, which the code says "has tree barricade brochures with specifications available."
Replacement and mitigation on development sites
The rules in the replacement section above apply to every development site other than an existing single-family home: one caliper inch per DBH inch, the Table 105-35.2 minimum on each lot and across common areas, $120 per DBH to the tree bank where space runs out, and the building pad waiver.
When fees are due. Section 105-35.15(E) says "Any and all tree permit fees shall be paid upon tree permit approval." See the conflict on fee timing below.
Trees lost to construction. Section 105-35.18(I) says "If an inspection within two (2) years after completion of the construction, improvement or development shows a tree or trees to be dead or dying as a result of the construction, improvement or development, such tree or trees shall be replaced by comparable substitutes as specified in Section 105-35.16 Replacement Trees."
Where the money goes. Under Section 105-35.20, fees in lieu go to the tree bank "and used by the City to purchase trees for use on City owned property or for programs that support the City's urban forestry initiative."
Replacement quality. The one-year healthy-condition obligation and the size and grade standards in Section 105-35.16 apply on development sites too.
Development fees in Appendix C
The Appendix C fee schedule says "Fees shown below are effective March 18, 2021." The entries a tree-affected project most often meets:
Tree Permit: $25.00, one entry for every property type.
Building permit fee: "0.80 percent of the construction valuation, minimum of $60.00", with plan review at 25 percent of the building permit fee.
Design Review $2,000.00; Development Agreement $5,000.00; Subdivision Plat Review $600.00 plus a conformity review fee; Minor Change to Site Plan $1,200.00.
Variance $1,500.00; Appeal $1,500.00; Appeal/Variance to BBAA $250.00.
Engineering site and infrastructure review: $325.00 for a small commercial development or redevelopment first submittal; $875.00 for a commercial, multifamily or mixed use site under 10 acres; $1,200.00 for 10 acres or greater; second submittal no charge.
Right-of-Way Use Permit: $50.00 for a single-family residence; $250.00 first review for commercial, multifamily or mixed use; $250.00 with site and infrastructure projects.
Stop Work Order Release: $150.00 each.
The schedule also says "NO REFUND on permit fees, unless issued in error on part of the City. NO REFUND if work has commenced or if permit is over 180 days old."
Is there a separate clearing, grubbing or fill permit?
We searched the whole code and found no operative section that creates a land clearing permit, a clearing and grubbing permit or a fill permit. The only mention of a Land Clearing and Grubbing Permit is inside the definition of the No Tree Removal Permit Required Verification quoted above. What the code does set out:
Grading approval. The definitions describe a grading development approval "required when land disturbance or excavation exceeds 10 cubic feet but less than 100 cubic feet." Section 104-11.3 lists grading and land disturbance, building permits and certificates of occupancy as staff decisions appealable to the Board of Adjustment and Appeal.
Construction sequence. Under Code of Ordinances Section 78-463(a), "As part of a proposed site plan, the engineer of record shall submit the detailed construction sequence, including earthwork operations".
Clearing is still tree removal. Clearing that removes a protected tree needs the tree permit, and the Section 105-35.18 barricades go up before any development work begins.
The city's Development Review Committee applies a stricter condition than the code states; see the guidance section below.
What contractors are personally exposed to
Fines on the contractor of record. Section 105-35.18(J) sets a fine of $100 for each day and each tree, which "shall be assessed to the property owner and/or contractor of record for trees not barricaded during land development/construction activities, or when existing barricades have been knocked down or removed, or when unauthorized materials have been placed within tree barricades." It adds "a fine of $500 per tree shall be assessed for trees that are not root pruned as specified or pruned improperly as defined herein", and "Unpaid fines are subject to liens."
Stop work orders. Section 105-35.18(K): "If any infraction of this section is observed by the Parks Division during the process of construction, demolition, or site clearing, and/or is not consistent with the approved plan, the Division is hereby given the authority to place a Stop Work Order on the project." The order stays until corrections are made, fines are paid and the city releases it. A Stop Work Order Release is $150.00 in Appendix C.
Tree service requirements. Section 105-35.7 requires every paid tree worker to hold a city occupational license, workers compensation and "a minimum of $500,000 general liability insurance of the classification type that describes the insurer as a tree service company", and says "General liability Insurance for landscape maintenance or lawn maintenance activities does not meet this provision." It requires ANSI Z133.1 and OSHA compliance, and "Tree service companies or individuals found to be in non-compliance with this requirement may be ordered to stop work until in compliance and will be reported to OSHA."
Penalties for removal. Section 105-35.22 applies to "Any person who violates the provisions of this section relating to illegal tree removal or effective tree removal", with a lien superior to prior encumbrances except tax liens. The penalty section below has the detail.
Debris. Paid tree workers may not leave debris at the curb for city pickup, and Code of Ordinances Section 66-65(b) says "Material shall be hauled and disposed of by lawn services, tree trimmers, and landscaping contractors."
The owner's liability stays. Section 105-35.11(B) keeps replacement and tree bank liability on the property owner "In all cases."
Right-of-way and utility work
City trees. Section 105-35.6 says "All trees or shrubs planted in the publicly owned right-of-way, or portion thereof, are the property of the City." Planting needs written permission from Public Works, removal needs written permission from the Parks Division, and "Offenders shall be subject to a criminal or civil penalty, or both."
Traffic control. Tree crews with equipment in the city right-of-way "must adhere to all Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) requirements relating to maintenance of traffic (MOT) and work zone traffic control per the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards."
Right-of-way permit and developer security. The Right-of-Way Use Permit fees are listed above. Under Section 104-54.6, before final approval of the infrastructure and site construction plans, the developer submits to engineering an irrevocable letter of credit or cash equal to 100% of the total cost of any work in the right-of-way, based on the engineer of record's estimate as approved by the city engineer.
Utilities. Under Section 78-518, a utility "shall obtain a rights-of-way construction permit prior to any construction in the rights-of-way", applying "at least 45 days before construction is scheduled to commence". Section 78-526 says a utility removing greenery "shall consult with the city's arborist," that "Permanent removal of greenery is presumed unnecessary," and that a utility trimming for wire clearance "shall notify the city arborist at least 24 hours prior to the proposed trimming."
County-maintained roads. Pinellas County Section 58-809 says "No trees shall be removed from county-maintained right-of-way without an approved permit."
The city's brochure lists the Public Services Division, 727-298-3232, for street tree, right-of-way and easement tree maintenance.
Appeals and variances on development decisions
Interpretation appeals. Section 105-35.23: "Where there is disagreement as to the proper interpretation of this division, a written appeal may be made to the Board of Adjustment and Appeal in accordance with Chapter 109, Division 2: Board of Adjustment and Appeal." We found no filing deadline for that appeal in the tree division or in Chapter 109, Division 2.
Hardship variances. Section 105-35.24 allows a variance where strict adherence is impossible or impractical and the owner shows hardship emanating from the property, and says "Tree replacement costs or fees associated with this requirement shall not be grounds for variance."
Process. Under Section 104-22.4, "Before any application is filed, the applicant shall attend a pre-application meeting with the zoning administrator, or designee." The application is filed with the zoning administrator stating the special conditions, and "The board of adjustment and appeal shall hold a quasi-judicial public hearing."
The board. The board is five citizens appointed by the City Commission, and "All meetings of the board shall be open to the public." A quorum is three members. Under Section 109-20.4, "A concurring vote of the majority of the total membership of the board shall be required to decide on any matter presented to it", and overriding the zoning administrator on an interpretation takes "a four-fifths concurring vote of the total membership of the board".
Repeat applications. "No application for a variance for any lot or parcel that requests the same variance and same conditions shall be considered within one year of a final decision denying the application."
Fees. Variance $1,500.00, Appeal $1,500.00, Appeal/Variance to BBAA $250.00, from Appendix C.
What happens if a tree is removed without a permit?
The ordinance and the brochure state this differently, and it is worth having both.
Section 105-35.22 says "Any person who violates the provisions of this section relating to illegal tree removal or effective tree removal shall pay to the City a civil penalty equal to two times the rate of the permit for such tree removal", and "Any infraction for illegal pruning or other prohibited acts shall be fined $100 per violation."
The code does not define "the rate of the permit." The only codified tree permit figure is the flat $25.00 Tree Permit fee. The city's FAQ brochure states "a fine of $120 for existing single-family homes and $240 for all other properties per DBH of the tree(s) will be issued. This fine is required to be paid within 30 days of the violation". Those brochure figures are twice the code's tree bank rates of $60 and $120 per DBH, but the code never calls the tree bank rate the rate of the permit. Both readings are published here and neither is resolved; the code is the law, and the City Arborist is the authority on how the city applies it.
The collection mechanism is the part worth reading twice. The city clerk files a lien in the county public records, and the code says it "shall be superior to all other encumbrances of record including those recorded prior in time to such lien, except tax liens." The city may foreclose, with costs and attorney's fees, or recover in a civil action. Enforcement sits with the Parks Division, coordinating with the Dunedin Code Enforcement Board.
One procedural note if you are on the receiving end of a complaint. Florida Statute 162.06(1)(b) says "A code inspector may not initiate enforcement proceedings for a potential violation of a duly enacted code or ordinance by way of an anonymous complaint." The person reporting "must provide his or her name and address to the respective local government before an enforcement proceeding may occur", and "This paragraph does not apply if the code inspector has reason to believe that the violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources." The city's Code Compliance page states the same rule.
Dunedin makes it unlawful to have a hazard tree
This one is genuinely unusual and most homeowners have no idea it exists. Section 105-35.7(F) says "It shall be unlawful to have a hazard tree as defined herein on any property within the City." Not to ignore one after notice. To have one.
The code defines a hazard tree as "A tree that in the opinion of the Department, constitutes a hazard in that it has significant potential to cause injury to persons or damage to property as the tree is in imminent danger of falling or is otherwise causing a hazard that threatens public safety", and says it includes "but not be limited to dead, severely declining, diseased, broken, split, cracked, leaning or uprooted trees."
The process once a tree is designated: written notice and 15 calendar days to remove it. If it is still standing, a notice of violation with a date before the Code Enforcement Board. If the board agrees a violation exists, another 15 days. After that the city removes the tree, charges the cost to the owner, and "may place a lien on the property to recoup costs associated with the removal of a hazard tree."
A dead tree is not a problem you can leave alone indefinitely, and it still needs a permit to remove. Section 105-35.9 says "It shall be unlawful for any person, without first obtaining a permit as provided in this section, to remove any protected tree (including dead trees), or prune any grand tree as defined herein."
What the city requires of whoever does the work
Section 105-35.7 sets requirements on the tree service, not the homeowner, and they give you a concrete way to check a bid that looks too cheap.
A current occupational license issued by the City of Dunedin that permits tree maintenance in the city.
Workers compensation insurance as required by law.
A minimum of $500,000 general liability insurance of the tree service classification, covering tree removal and working at height from a bucket truck or by climbing. A landscape or lawn maintenance policy does not qualify.
Compliance with ANSI Z133.1 safety standards and applicable OSHA standards.
FDOT maintenance of traffic and MUTCD work zone standards for any equipment in the city right-of-way.
Debris hauled off site. Section 105-35.7(E) says "It shall be unlawful for persons who are employed, contracted or paid to perform tree work to leave tree debris such as tree branches or trunk sections by the street curb for pickup by the City's Solid Waste Department."
The insurance classification point is the useful one. Plenty of companies carry a landscaping policy and describe themselves as insured. Ask for the certificate and look at what class of work it names.
What if the tree is genuinely a hazard to your house?
Florida Statutes 163.045 is the statewide path, and it sits above the city ordinance. Subsection (2) says "A local government may not require a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on a residential property if the property owner possesses documentation from an arborist certified by the ISA or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree poses an unacceptable risk to persons or property." Subsection (3) says "A local government may not require a property owner to replant a tree that was pruned, trimmed, or removed in accordance with this section."
The standard is narrow. The statute says "A tree poses an unacceptable risk if removal is the only means of practically mitigating its risk below moderate, as determined by the tree risk assessment procedures outlined in Best Management Practices - Tree Risk Assessment, Second Edition (2017)." The documentation it requires is "an onsite assessment performed in accordance with the tree risk assessment procedures outlined in Best Management Practices - Tree Risk Assessment, Second Edition (2017) by an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or a Florida licensed landscape architect and signed by the certified arborist or licensed landscape architect."
The scope limits matter as much as the exemption. The statute reaches only residential property, defined as "a single-family, detached building located on a lot that is actively used for single-family residential purposes and that is either a conforming use or a legally recognized nonconforming use in accordance with the local jurisdiction’s applicable land development regulations." It does not reach commercial property, HOA common areas, multifamily or institutional sites. And subsection (4) says "This section does not apply to the exercise of specifically delegated authority for mangrove protection pursuant to ss. 403.9321 - 403.9333 ." Dunedin's code does not mention the statute at all, which does not change that it applies.
Said plainly, because this is where homeowners get talked into trouble: the test is the assessed risk, set by the onsite assessment, and nothing else. Where pruning or another measure can bring a tree's risk below moderate, removal is not the only means and the statute does not apply, and branches touching a roof or a service drop are often in that position. Removing a tree on the strength of the statute without documentation that meets it is how a straightforward removal turns into a code violation.
Where a tree genuinely does meet that standard, the signed report is something we arrange as part of the job. You are not sent off to find an arborist on your own.
Why a permit gets denied, and what you can do about it
Section 105-35.21 states the intent "to save and protect existing, healthy trees to the greatest degree possible". A denial must be specific: the City Manager or designee "shall state the basis for such denial specifically and shall notify the applicant, in writing, of the criteria upon which such denial is predicated." The named grounds:
"(A) The tree(s) is determined to have sufficient health and structure at the time of the inspection to warrant its preservation."
A building can be modified or lot coverage reduced to protect the tree, capped at 30 percent.
The tree provides verifiable habitat to a legislatively designated endangered or protected bird species during nesting season, between January 1 and June 30, even where the tree has died; or it stands where other legislatively designated endangered or protected wildlife exist and removal may cause adverse impact. "This provision does not apply to trees determined to be hazardous trees."
The tree is a Grand Tree, which the developer must preserve unless removal is authorized under Section 105-35.13, except in road site distances, recovery and maintenance areas where City Engineering cannot confirm it can be preserved.
After a denial there are two routes, both to the Board of Adjustment and Appeal: an appeal on interpretation, and a hardship variance, including the tree-saving variance for a tree of at least 18 inches DBH rated 3.5 or greater. The appeals section above sets out the process. Tree replacement costs or fees are never grounds for a variance.
Trees in the right-of-way
All trees and shrubs planted in publicly owned right-of-way are city property, and "The City has the right to prune or remove such trees or shrubs for the purpose of public safety and utility repair/construction." Planting one there requires written permission from the Public Works Department in advance. Removing one requires written permission from the Parks Division. Injuring or destroying one carries a criminal or civil penalty, or both.
Where your lot line runs is a question for a survey or the city, not an assumption. The city's brochure lists the Public Services Division, 727-298-3232, for right-of-way and easement trees, and the right-of-way section of the development track above covers permits for contractors and utilities.
Invasive species: exempt to remove, illegal to plant
The two rules run in opposite directions and both are live. Most of the species on the exempt list above may be removed freely. Section 105-35.19(A) says "It shall be illegal to plant any invasive exotic plant listed as a Class I invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC), on any property within the City limits." Section 105-35.19(D) names the common ones: Australian pine, air potato, Brazilian pepper, carrotwood, castor bean, chinaberry, Chinese tallow, ear tree, laurel fig, punk tree, silk oak, toog and weeping fig.
For new construction, every Class I invasive has to be removed before the certificate of occupancy is issued, verified by site inspection, and "After the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, the property owner shall control re- growth of invasive exotic plants in perpetuity." Enforcement follows the same ladder as a hazard tree: written notice, 15 days, Code Enforcement Board, another 15 days, then city removal charged to the owner with a possible lien.
Where the city's guidance and its code differ
Each item below names what the city's own material says and what the code says. The code is the law in every case.
When the fee is paid. Section 105-35.9 says the fee "shall be paid at the time of application", and the city's permit page says it "must be paid with your online application." Sections 105-35.14(E) and 105-35.15(E) say "Any and all tree permit fees shall be paid upon tree permit approval." The code contradicts itself; the city's practice follows the first reading.
The penalty figure. The brochure's $120 and $240 per DBH against the code's "two times the rate of the permit," set out in the penalty section.
The 25 percent limit. The brochure says "Topping, excessive pruning, or the removal of more than 25 percent of the tree's leaf canopy is prohibited without a permit." The code makes topping and removal of more than 25 percent unlawful with no permit route at all.
Palms and mangroves. The brochure describes protected trees as "including all mangroves, Sabal Palms, or Cabbage Palms". The code protects a cabbage palm only with six feet or more of clear trunk.
Chinaberry. The permit page and brochure omit it from the exempt list; Section 105-35.4 includes it.
Permit release on development sites. The Development Review Committee's standard conditions, in its September 24, 2025 minutes, say "The tree removal application will not be approved and released in permit form until all tree mitigation has been satisfied and payment in lieu of planting to the city's Tree Bank has been made." The code says fees are paid upon approval.
Clearing before the permit. The same conditions say "No land clearing, grubbing, or construction shall commence prior to the completion of an approved and released tree removal permit, payment for fees in lieu of planting, and completed tree preservation." The code creates no separate clearing permit, so this condition is the committee's, applied project by project.
Filing with the site plan. The committee's conditions say "A Tree Permit must be submitted with the infrastructure site plan submittal if a tree(s) are being removed." The code ties filing to the building permit, the preliminary plat, design review or site plan amendments.
Grand Tree pruning credentials. The committee's conditions ask for a Grand Tree pruning plan designed by an ISA Certified Consulting Arborist and pruning by an ISA Certified Arborist. The code's Approved Arborist also includes an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist.
Root pruning inspection. The committee's conditions ask for the city arborist to be contacted at least 2 business days before root pruning to schedule an inspection. The code requires Parks Division approval and supervision but states no notice period.
What Dunedin does not settle
This section exists because knowing where the published answers stop is more useful than a confident guess. Each item was checked against the whole harvested code.
The review timeline for a standalone tree permit. No review period is stated.
How long a tree permit lasts. No expiration or validity period is stated.
An appeal deadline. No filing deadline for an appeal of a tree interpretation is stated.
The Grand Tree condition rating. Section 105.35.5 requires a 4.0 rating under the Tree Condition Rating Guidelines and the Tree Evaluation Form, Parks Division documents not published in the code and not located online. The same is true of the Project Status Report form and the barricade brochure.
The definition of effective removal. Section 105-35.7(A) prohibits removing or "effectively" removing a tree "(as defined herein)," and Section 105-35.22 penalises it, but the term is not defined anywhere in the code.
How a multi-trunk tree is measured against the 4 inch threshold. Covered above.
Whether the county's 2026 tree article reaches inside the city. Covered above.
The asterisk on the Tree Permit fee. Appendix C shows "Tree Permit*" with no visible footnote.
Internal citation errors in the code, worth knowing if you read it yourself. Section 105-35.14(A) cites "Table 105-32.2" for the minimum tree count, but the table with that number is the minimum parking space and aisle dimension table in Section 105-32.6.6; the tree table is Table 105-35.2. Section 105-35.17 cites "§ 105-35.15 (B) Replacement Trees" while the replacement tree standards are Section 105-35.16. Section 104-22.7.2 cites "§ 105-42 Landscaping and § 105-43 Trees," sections that do not exist in the current code. The Grand Tree table is captioned Table 105-35.1 while its own section calls it Table 105-35.5. And Section 105-35.7(A) refers to "Chapter 105, Division 4," while the tree provisions sit in Division 3.
Changes in progress. The code is codified through Ordinance No. 26-01, and two later ordinances were awaiting codification and were not read. The city's Land Development Code Update page lists environmental management among the standards being updated and says "The entire update process including hearings by the Local Planning Agency and the City Commission should be completed late summer / early fall of 2026."
For all of these, the City Arborist at 727-298-3279 is the answer.
Where this leaves your tree
Species, trunk diameter, property type, how many other trees are on the lot, and what the tree stands over are what decide whether a Dunedin tree is a candidate for removal, a candidate for pruning, or something better monitored. On a project site, add the building permit, the barricade plan and the Tree Preservation Plan. Those are measurements and observations rather than guesses from a photograph, and they are also exactly what the application has to be built on. What a proper assessment looks at is not the same as what the application asks for, and the gap between the two is where most of the avoidable cost sits.
If your address turns out to be in unincorporated Pinellas County rather than inside the city, which happens more often than people expect at the edges of Dunedin, the county's rules are different and stricter on palms.
Ask our agent about your specific property. It will ask you the questions that change the answer, which are your jurisdiction, the type of property or project, and the species and size of the tree, and it will tell you plainly when something is not published rather than guessing at it. It can also take your address and callback number if you would rather someone came and measured the tree properly.
Ken's Tree Service works within about 20 miles of Tarpon Springs, covering Dunedin, the rest of north Pinellas County, west Pasco and the northwest corner of Hillsborough.
Sources
City of Dunedin Land Development Code, Chapter 105 Division 3, Sections 105-35 through 105-35.24 (codified through Ordinance No. 26-01, Supplement 48) | Appendix A, Definitions | Appendix C, Fee Schedule | Section 105-34, Landscape Plan | Chapter 109 Division 2, Board of Adjustment and Appeal | City of Dunedin, Tree Removal and Grand Tree Pruning Permits | City of Dunedin, Tree Protection and Preservation FAQ brochure | Approved tree list | Development Review Committee minutes, September 24, 2025 | Florida Statutes 163.045 | Florida Statute 163.045, Florida Legislature text | Florida Statute 162.06 | FDEP, Mangrove Trimming Delegated Local Governments | Pinellas County, new tree regulations effective January 23, 2026 | Pinellas County Code Section 58-809
This article explains the City of Dunedin's published rules. It is not a determination about any specific tree, site or project. Ordinances and fees change, and only the city can tell you whether your tree or project requires a permit. The City Arborist is reachable at 727-298-3279 or [email protected].