TREE REMOVAL ORDINANCES

What You Need to Know

Tree removal is a common practice to ensure safety and protect property values. However, it’s essential to understand that each county in Atlanta has its own specific policies and regulations regarding tree service and removal. Whether you’re dealing with dead trees or considering the removal of healthy ones, compliance with local ordinances is crucial.

Here are the key points you should be aware of:

1    Permit Requirement:

  • City-Owned Property: You need a permit to remove, destroy, or injure any tree on city-owned property, regardless of its size.
  • Private Property: A permit is required for any tree with a diameter of 6 inches or greater at breast height (dbh) on private property. There are no exceptions based on species or tree condition. Even dead trees require a permit for removal (https://atlantatreecommission.com/the-basics/).

2    Legal Consequences:

  • Failing to obtain a tree removal permit can result in fines imposed by the city.
  • Additionally, you may be required to pay for the replacement value of the tree if removed without proper authorization.

3   County-Specific Regulations:

  • Each county has its own tree ordinances. For accurate and up-to-date information, consult the relevant county’s guidelines.
  • ArborForce Tree Services provides information on tree ordinances for several local counties as a service to our customers. If you have questions or concerns about your county’s tree ordinance, feel free to contact us.

4  Expertise and Compliance:

  • ArborForce Tree Services employs fully trained and certified arborists who are members of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
  • We understand the complexity of county tree ordinances and can guide you through the process.

5    Community and Environment:

  • ArborForce Tree Service is committed to serving our customers, community, and environment.
  • We prioritize healthy, longer-lived trees and a resilient tree canopy.

Alpharetta Tree Ordinances (city limits)

Permit Required:

A tree removal permit is required for most types of tree removals within the City of Alpharetta.

Online Resource: https://northsidetreeprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Alpharetta-Tree-Removal-Permit.pdf

Berkeley Lake

Permit Required:

Yes, with exceptions

Online Resource: https://berkeleylake.com/TreeRemoval.aspx

Decatur (Historic districts only)

Permit Required:

A tree removal permit is required for property owners in the city limits of Decatur to remove an untreatably diseased or infested tree/s or to remove a tree/s with moderate or higher risk rating as determined by a certified arborist and that has a target (person or property) present that would be injured or damaged by the tree/s failure.

Online Resource: https://northsidetreeprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Decatur-Tree-Removal-Permit.pdf

Dekalb City (Tucker, Brookhaven, etc.)

Permit Required:

Yes, conditionally and in nonemergency cases

Online Resource: https://northsidetreeprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tucker-Tree-Removal-Permit.pdf

Doraville (city limits)

Permit Required:

For removal of any tree with a trunk diameter of three (3) inches or more measured at breast height, which normally attains a mature height of fifteen (15) feet or more; and/or

For pruning the limbs (branches) of trees that have a trunk diameter of eight (8) inches or more measured at breast height. Click here to read Sec. 5-271 discussing proper pruning methods.

Online Resource: https://northsidetreeprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Doraville-Tree-Removal-Permit.pdf

Dunwoody (city limits)

Permit Required:

For any hardwood with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of ten inches or greater, softwoods with a DBH of 20 inches or greater, and understory with a DBH of six inches or greater on non-residential, mixed-use, and multi-family zoned lots; and any tree located within the city’s 75-foot stream buffer

Online Resource: https://dunwoody.portal.iworq.net/DUNWOODY/new-permit/600/610

Gwinnett County

Permit Required:

A homeowner can remove live trees from their occupied property provided they are not location in a required Zoning Buffer, Stream Buffer, Conservation or Open Space, Chattahoochee River Corridor, Tree Save Area, or are a Street Tree.

Online Resource: https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/planning/pdf/gwinnett-county-tree-removal-information.pdf

Johns Creek

Permit Required:

Trees may be removed from properties without City permission as long as they are not specimen trees and are not located in the City’s four Tree Protected Areas (The River Corridor, a Stream Buffer, a Zoning Buffer, a required landscape strip or landscape parking island)

Online Resource: https://selfservice.johnscreekga.gov/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/home

Milton

Permit Required:

Approval from the City Arborist is required to remove any Protected Tree. A Protected Tree is any tree 15” DBH (diameter at breast height) or greater.

 

Online Resource: https://northsidetreeprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Milton-Tree-Removal-Permit.pdf

Roswell (city limits)

Permit Required:

A tree removal application is required for the removal of any tree larger than 3 inches in diameter

Online Resource: https://northsidetreeprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Roswell-Corners-Tree-Removal-Permit.pdf

Sandy Springs

Permit Required:

A Tree Removal Permit is required when a tree meets one of the following categories and is being removed independent of any construction activity:

 

Any tree 18″ Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or larger

Any Dogwood or Redbud 10″ DBH or larger

Any tree located within the Chattahoochee River Corridor (2,000’ from the banks of the Chattahoochee River)

Any tree located a within a Stream Buffer (the 75′ protection corridor along designated streams and bodies of water)

If a mix of healthy and dead or hazardous trees will be removed, a Tree Removal Permit is still required.

Online Resource: https://northsidetreeprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Sandy-Springs-Tree-Removal-Permit.pdf

Smyrna

Permit Required:

Yes,  conditionally (for trees 24″ in diameter or larger on properties without development activity, as well as changes to specimen tree specifications and recompense)

Online Resource: https://smyrnaga.portal.opengov.com/categories/1085/record-types/6445

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