Tree Removal Permits in Pinellas County, Florida

Pinellas County threw out its old tree code and replaced it. The new rules are Chapter 58, Article XIX, sections 58-807 through 58-814, created by Ordinance No. 26-3, adopted 20 January 2026 and effective 23 January 2026. The old Land Development Code section 138-3654 is now "Reserved", repealed. If you are reading advice written before 2026, it is describing a code that no longer exists.

Two things about the new article change the answer for almost everyone.

2. There is no exemption section at all

Not for dangerous trees. Not for dead trees. Not for storms. We checked the full codified text from Municode and the adopted ordinance PDF from the county’s Legistar portal, both contain the same eight sections and no exemptions article.

So in unincorporated Pinellas County:

• A dead tree still needs an approved permit. It rates Grade 0 under Table 58-813(a), which buys you no replant trees and no minimum-landscape requirement, not a free pass.
• A storm-damaged tree still needs a permit. There is no emergency carve-out in the ordinance text. We found no separate county rule, emergency order or post-storm declaration creating one. If the county issues post-hurricane guidance, that is a different document and has to be checked at the time.
• Florida Statute § 163.045 is, on the face of these codes, the only route that removes the permit requirement entirely for a qualifying single-family homeowner. It requires signed, on-site documentation from an ISA Certified Arborist or a Florida licensed landscape architect, performed to the ISA Tree Risk Assessment BMP, 2nd Edition. Read the full explanation of that law here before relying on it.

The unincorporated county rules, in detail

What is protected (§ 58-813(a)): any tree 4" DBH or larger measured at 4.5 feet; all palms 6 feet or taller. On residential property that has a Pinellas County homestead exemption, an existing single-family detached residence, and is actively used as one, the county’s plain-language page adds "not vacant, rented, or being demolished for redevelopment", only trees greater than 24" DBH are protected. Note: § 58-813(a)(3) as drafted does not separately carve out palms on a qualifying homestead. That is ambiguous and we have not resolved it, call 727-464-3888 before assuming.

Over-pruning counts as removal. § 58-807 defines "effectively remove" as removing branches, foliage or stems so that the tree’s natural function and form is severely impacted, "including topping, defoliating, or excessive root pruning." Topping a protected tree carries the same permit requirement and the same penalty as cutting it down.

Grading, and who does it. Trees are rated 0 to 3 (Table 58-813(a)). Grade 0 is dead or dying, under 40% condition. Grade 3 includes hardwoods over 36" DBH and softwoods over 20" DBH that would otherwise grade 2. Grade 2 and Grade 3 trees may only be removed for specific reasons verified by county staff. Under § 58-813(b)(2)(b) you may pay for your own tree rating assessment by a qualified professional, § 58-807 defines that to include a certified arborist, and the county administrator reviews it and makes the final call.

Replanting (Table 58-813(b)), the county has abandoned inch-for-inch:

Grade 0: no replants. Replant trees must be 1.5" DBH per stem, 6 ft tall, Florida Grade No. 1 or better, at least 60% native, no more than 25% palms (§ 58-814).

Penalty (§ 58-810(c)): $150 per DBH inch, paid into the tree bank fund, and the replant requirement still applies. A 30-inch oak is $4,500. The county may reconstruct the DBH from aerial imagery after the fact. Under § 58-810(b) liability is joint and several across everyone who caused or contributed to the violation, that includes the tree company, and it follows people who no longer own the property.

Permit life: 90 days from issuance (§ 58-813(b)(8)).

Frequently asked questions

My tree is dead. Do I really need a permit in unincorporated Pinellas? Yes. Table 58-813(a) says a Grade 0 tree "may be removed with approved permit. No replant trees required." Dead relieves you of replanting, not of permitting.

A hurricane knocked it over. Same answer? On the code as written, yes, Article XIX has no storm provision. Across the county the honest line is that emergency waivers exist in some cities but every one of them is discretionary and requires a finding by a manager or director. After a named storm, confirm whether a waiver has actually been issued before anyone cuts.

Is topping really the same as removing? Under the county’s defined term, yes. And under most of the city codes too. It is the single most expensive mistake a homeowner makes with a cheap crew.

Can you pull the permit for me? Yes. We file the application, mark the trees, meet the inspector and schedule the work around the approval. Call (727) 365-1803.

Verified against Pinellas County Code Ch. 58, Art. XIX (Ord. No. 26-3) and the county’s published permit guidance as of July 2026. Ordinances change, if a detail matters to your decision, confirm the current text with the city first.