Environmental Resources Management

Tree Removal/Relocation Permits

Trees offer many benefits to our community. They help to increase the real estate value of a property by 15% and they can help to cut the air conditioning cost of a home by up to 40%.

But trees also add an important environmental value to our community. They help to improve air quality and reduce flooding, not to mention that green areas enhance the beauty of our neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, the tree canopy in Miami-Dade County is well below the national average when compared to similar metropolitan areas, because we have lost thousands of trees to hurricanes, diseases such as the citrus canker and urban development. Therefore, it is imperative that we protect and preserve the trees in our community.

• What is a tree removal/relocation permit used for?
• What tree-related activities are exempt?
• What is an After-the-Fact permit (ATF) and what is the process of obtaining an ATF permit to resolve my violation?
• What is the process of obtaining a tree removal/relocation permit?
• Do I need a permit to trim my tree?
• If I live in a municipality, do I still need to apply for a Miami-Dade County PERA tree removal/relocation permit?
• What is considered a tree?
• What is diameter at breast height (DBH) and how can I measure/confirm the DBH?
• How much are the tree removal/relocation permit fees?
• How long is an executed tree removal/relocation permit valid?
• What are the penalties for non-compliance or removing a tree without a permit?
• How can I close my permit/request a final inspection?
• What if I don't have room or don't want additional trees on my property and would like to close my permit?

What is a tree removal/relocation permit used for?

A tree removal/relocation permit is required for the approved removal or relocation of any tree within Miami-Dade County not specifically exempt under the Environmental Code of Miami-Dade County.

A tree removal/relocation permit may be required for the removal or relocation of prohibited plant species . Read Policy 8I  of the Conservation Element of Miami-Dade County's Comprehensive Development Master Plan for more information. A Tree Relocation Plan Form  is required for all tree relocations.

The Permitting, Environment and Regulatory Affairs Department (PERA) Tree Permitting Program provides the Tree Removal/Relocation Permit Application form . The property owner, or a representative authorized by the property owner, is the only person who can apply and sign for a tree removal/relocation permit.

For more information, call PERA's Tree Permitting Program at 305-372-6600, option 2.

What tree-related activities are exempt?

Read the Tree Permit exemptions  from the Miami-Dade County Code.

What is an After-the-Fact permit (ATF) and what is the process of obtaining an ATF permit to resolve my violation?

An After-the-Fact (ATF) tree removal/relocation permit is required for trees that have been removed/relocated or effectively destroyed within Miami-Dade County.

The application and per-tree fees for an ATF tree removal/relocation permit costs double than normal.

• See the Tree Permit Fee Schedule 

What is the process of obtaining a tree removal/relocation permit?

• Submit a completed Tree Removal/Relocation Permit Application Form , along with the application and the initial inspection fee, in person, by mail or by fax. Both the application and the initial inspection fee  must be received in order to process the application.
• The mailing address and fax information is:

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, PERA
TREE PERMITTING PROGRAM
701 NW 1ST COURT, 7TH FLOOR
MIAMI FL 33136
Fax: 305-372-6881

• The property owner or authorized representative will be informed if the permit has been approved or denied, usually by certified mail, email or otherwise requested.
• The processing time for a tree removal/relocation permit (i.e. from application acceptance to the permit being drafted and ready for issuance) is approximately 30 days.

For properties that are not in violation of the tree ordinance:
When a tree removal/relocation permit application is submitted and additional information is required in order to continue processing the permit, an official correspondence will be sent to the owner or authorized representative identifying the deficiencies.

If the Tree Permitting Program has not been contacted regarding the requested information, or if the requested information has not been received within 120 days from the date of the official correspondence, the application will be denied.

According to Section 24-49.7(3) of the Miami-Dade County Code, all tree permit applications that remain incomplete for a period of 120 days shall be denied. A new tree removal permit application shall be required for all work previously proposed under a permit application which has been denied.

Do I need a permit to trim my tree?

A tree removal/relocation permit is not required for the selective pruning or trimming of trees, provided the pruning is done according to the most recent American National Standards (ANSI) A-300 Standard Practices for Tree Care Operations.

However, excessive pruning of more than 25% of the tree's canopy (i.e. hat-racking, topping, etc.) and other activities (i.e. trunk girdling, excessive root cutting, use of tree-killing chemicals, etc.), which results in the effective destruction of a tree , constitutes a violation of Section 24-49 of the Code of Miami-Dade County.

If I live in a municipality, do I still need to apply for a Miami-Dade County PERA tree removal/relocation permit?

The municipalities listed below have their own tree ordinance, and therefore, a tree removal/relocation permit from PERA's Tree Permitting Program is not required for properties located within their jurisdiction. Call the municipality (contact numbers provided may change) for further information regarding their tree removal/relocation process.

• Coral Gables: 305-460-5000
• Homestead: 305-224-4864
• Miami: 305-960-2870 or 305-416-1755
• Miami Springs: 305-805-5170
• North Miami: 305-895-9830
• North Miami Beach: 305-948-2904
• Pinecrest: 305-234-2121
• South Miami: 305-663-6350

What is considered a tree?

A tree is considered a woody or fibrous perennial plant with a trunk having a minimum diameter at breast height (DBH) of three inches (equivalent to 9 ½ inches circumference), or has an overall height of 12 feet or more.

A non-specimen tree is any tree with a trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) less than 18 inches (56.5 inches in circumference) when measured at point 4 ½ feet from the ground at natural grade.

The following trees are considered non-specimen, no matter how large they become:

• Non-native fruit trees that are cultivated or grown for the specific purpose of producing edible fruit, including, but not limited to, mangos, avocados or species of citrus.
• Non-native species of the genus Ficus.
• All multi-trunk palms except Paurotis palm/Everglades palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii) and Reclinata palm (Phoenix reclinata) which have a minimum overall height of 15 feet.

A specimen tree is almost any tree with a trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) of 18 inches and greater (or a circumference of fifty-six and a half 56.5 inches and greater) when measured at point 4 ½' feet from the ground at natural grade. The following trees are not considered specimen:

• Non-native fruit trees that are cultivated or grown for the specific purpose of producing edible fruit, including, but not limited to, mangos, avocados or species of citrus.
• Non-native species of the genus Ficus.
• All multi-trunk palms except Paurotis palm/Everglades palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii) and Reclinata palm (Phoenix reclinata), which have a minimum overall height of 15 feet.
  
  

What is diameter at breast height (DBH) and how can I measure/confirm the DBH?

Diameter breast height (DBH) shall mean the diameter of a tree's trunk measured at a point 4 ½ feet from where the tree emerges from the ground at natural grade.

In the case of multiple-trunked trees, the DBH shall mean the sum of each trunk's diameter measured at the point 4 ½ feet from where the tree emerges from the ground at natural grade.

• Read the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) Measurement Guide 

How much are the tree removal/relocation permit fees?

• See the Tree Permit Fee Schedule 

Please be advised that the application and the initial inspection fees are required upon permit application submission and are non-refundable if cancelled, withdrawn or denied. 

How long is an executed tree removal/relocation permit valid?

A tree removal/relocation permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance. A permit may be renewed by contacting PERA, but must be done before the permit has expired. A renewal fee will be required.

What are the penalties for non-compliance or removing a tree without a permit?

Pursuant to Chapter 24 of the Miami-Dade County Code, once notified of the tree violation, you must comply within the allowed timeframe by submitting the required permit application together with the non-refundable After-the-Fact (ATF) Application  and initial inspection fee , to the PERA Tree Permitting Program.

Failure to adhere shall result in further enforcement action. This may include the issuance of a Uniform Civil Violation Notice pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8CC of the Code, which carries a mandatory civil penalty and a requirement to correct the violation.

How can I close my permit/request a final inspection?

The process of obtaining a final inspection in order to close the permit is as follows:

• Once all the permit requirements have been completed, the owner or authorized representative must submit a Final Inspection Request Form  either by mail, email or fax to PERA's Tree Permitting Program.
• A field inspection will be performed to verify that the permit requirements have been completed and satisfied as stated in the permit. Once the permit requirements have been completed satisfactorily, the permit will be closed and the applicant will be informed accordingly.
  

What if I don't have room or don't want additional trees on my property and would like to close my permit?

You can make a monetary contribution of $150 per tree, in lieu of or in conjunction with the permit requirements, using the Planting Mitigation Guidelines , to the Miami-Dade County Tree Trust Fund (TTF) established by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners.

Back to Top Page Last Edited: Thu Jan 19, 2012 11:37:01 AM