Habitat Permit & Environmental Compliance

Our tree removal permits apply to properties in unincorporated Pinellas County and certain municipalities, including Belleair Bluffs or Belleair Shore. Properties in the jurisdiction of one of the county’s 24 municipalities may need to apply for tree removal through a separate authority. Visit the My Neighborhood Services page or contact the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s office to find out if your property is in unincorporated Pinellas County or one of its municipalities.

Check out our Permitting Guide for more information about services, payments, checklists, contractors, and inspections. 

You will likely need a permit from the County. Please reference Section 166-81 for general permit and application provisions. Removing a tree without a permit may lead to fines as described in Chapter 166 of the Pinellas County Land Development Code.

Legislation in 2022 outlines special cases where an actively used, detached single family residence property owner may possess specific documentation from an ISA Certified Arborist or a Florida-licensed Landscape Architect that may allow the property owners to remove trees that pose an unacceptable risk. Call (727) 464-3480 or email bdrsenvgroup@pinellas.gov for more information.

A lot tree is generally a shade tree and/or combination of shade tree and an accent tree. Many factors determine what your lot requires. The Land Development Code (LDC) Section 138-3658 lists the requirements for lot trees. These requirements are based on the square footage of the lot as well as existing trees to remain. Email us at bdrsenvgroup@pinellas.gov for assistance with your lot tree requirements.

Yes, a habitat permit is required to remove a dead tree.  

Follow these steps to start the application process.

Fees are dependent upon several factors, such as lot size and quantity and quality of trees being removed. 

All fees are subject to change. Please refer to Page 327 in the County’s Annual Operating and Capital Budget or call (727) 464-3480 for more information.

Depending upon workload, staff can generally inspect within one to two days from the date of requested inspection. Review time for a permit application is dependent upon the number of trees requested for removal, size of property, or other circumstances that may require more time to review.

Visit pinellas.gov/access-portal to check the status of your permit. Regular updates are provided via email. The contact on your application will receive a copy of the permit via email once it is approved. Please check your SPAM or JUNK folder.  Additionally, a search by address can be conducted with or without an account on the portal.

1. Sign in to the Pinellas Access Portal (optional)
2. Click on “Develop” on the top half of the screen 
3. Complete the appropriate information under “General Search”

The County does not provide this service. Permits are required before removing any tree four inches in diameter breast height (DBH) or greater. Permits are also required for a tree of any size located in a wetland, Conservation Easement, or Natural Area, or any previously required trees regardless of size. 

Homeowners may apply for their own tree removal permit. You do not need a certified arborist to apply, but you do have that option.

You may have your tree service or contractor apply for the permit on your behalf. In the application package, you will find a form that you will have to sign authorizing another person to complete all the paperwork. Tree services regularly do this for their clients and are likely familiar with the process.

Step by step instructions are listed on the Tree Permit page. For portal support, call (727) 464-3888 and press option 4.

No. However, there is a limit to the amount of pruning you can do to a tree in a growing season. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) has established a set of guidelines for proper tree pruning techniques and all pruning must conform to these guidelines. Excessive pruning may result in corrective or enforcement actions. Consult an ISA Certified Arborist before you begin work.

In most cases, you can verify whether or not a tree was removed with a permit through the Pinellas County Access Portal. You do not need to register for an account to access this information. Complete these steps to do this:

1. Visit pinellas.gov/access-portal
2. Select “Develop” on the upper half of the page.
3. Scroll down until you see “General Search.”
4. Enter the street number and street name in the appropriate field. You do not need to enter the direction or street type. For example, if the address is 123 Avocado North Drive, enter “123” under “Street Number” and “Avocado” for “Street Name.”

If a protected tree is removed without obtaining the proper permit, the County will proceed with enforcement action that will involve fines and/or mitigation. All fees and fines are subject to change. Please refer to Page 327 in the County’s Annual Operating and Capital Budget or email bdrsenvgroup@pinellas.gov for more information.

The County cannot recommend one service or company. Visit treesaregood.org for a listing of certified arborists in your area.

We recommend following these tips when selecting a tree service for your specific needs. 

• Check sunbiz.org for business records on the company. 
• Request a copy of the permit to verify if there are requirements for replanting of which you may not be aware.
• Get everything promised in writing.
• Verify the vendor’s physical address.
• Check social media for rating and comments from your neighbors and community.
• Ask for proof of their worker’s compensation insurance and liability insurance policies.
  • Worker’s Compensation Insurance protects you if the worker gets injured on your property.
  • Liability Insurance will cover damages to your property.
• Get at least three bids. 

If your question is not yet answered fully, please call (727) 464-3480 or email bdrsenvgroup@pinellas.gov.