§ 154.14. Permit required for tree removal.

(A)

Trees requiring tree removal permits. Except as provided for in the article, no person shall, directly or indirectly, cut down, substantially alter, destroy, remove, relocate, damage, or authorize any such act involving a protected tree situated on land within the city, without first obtaining a tree removal permit. The term "protected tree" shall apply to any tree having a D.B.H. of 12 inches or greater, any replacement tree, and any tree that is represented in a landscape plan, street tree planting plan, or other planning document for the purposes of securing an approved building permit, clearing permit, or certificate of occupancy.

Exceptions are as follows:

1.

Platted single-family lots are exempt from the preservation requirements of this article as long as the minimum landscaping requirements, as may be required by this chapter, are met and maintained. Preserved trees may be substituted for tree planting required by the landscaping section of this Code.

2.

Any tree located in botanical gardens or in state-approved or government nurseries and groves which are grown for sale or public purpose.

3.

Non-native fruit trees cultivated or grown for the specific purpose of producing edible fruit, including, but not limited to: mangos, avocados, or species of citrus.

4.

No permit shall be required to remove non-native invasive or undesirable species listed under Section 154.03(L).

5.

Any property subject to the upland habitat preservation requirements of the Natural Resources Code that is providing on site or off site upland habitat preservation and/or mitigation.

6.

Preserve and Parks Management Activities. No permit shall be required for tree removal associated with an adopted management plan for government maintained or privately maintained parks, recreation areas, wildlife management areas, conservation areas, and preserves. The purpose of the tree removal activity shall be to protect and preserve the natural values and functions of the ecological communities present, such as, clearing for firebreaks, conducting prescribed burns, or construction of fences. The Zoning Administrator shall be notified in advance of any clearing of native vegetation on a site.

7.

Utility companies authorized to provide utility service may remove protected tree(s) that endanger public safety and welfare by interfering with utility service in an existing utility easement or public right-of-way, provided work is done by or under the control of the operating utility company and said company has received all necessary licenses or permits to provide utility service within the easement.

8.

Any activity conducted by a lawfully operating and bona fide commercial nursery or agricultural operation, when the activity occurs on property owned or lawfully occupied by the person conducting such activity.

9.

Pruning and trimming of trees or other vegetation when necessary to conduct a survey or site examination for the preparation of subdivision plats, site plans, or tree surveys, providing that such pruning and trimming is conducted under the direction of a Florida registered surveyor or engineer.

10.

Routine landscape maintenance such as limited trimming or pruning of vegetation that is not intended to result in the eventual death of the plant, or any other landscaping activity which is commonly recognized as routine maintenance.

(B)

During the period of an emergency such as a hurricane, flood, or any other natural disaster, the requirements of this chapter may be temporarily waived by the City Manager, so that private or public work to restore order in the city will in no way be hampered.

(Ord. No. 15-70, § 1, 9-14-15)