Do you need a permit?
No permit required for most private trees
Columbus does not require a homeowner to get a permit to remove a tree from their own residential yard, and no diameter threshold triggers one. The tree article of the Unified Development Ordinance applies "to any development, redevelopment, alteration or expansion," and Public Works says plainly that it does not evaluate or order the removal of private trees. Three things still reach you: a tree the Tree Board has designated an Exceptional Specimen Tree, a tree in a city easement or right-of-way crossing your lot, and any building or demolition project, which needs an approved tree plan before the permit is released.
Size threshold
None applies to private residential removal. The only diameter threshold in the tree provisions defines a public tree: "Public Protected Tree means any tree located on lands owned by the consolidated government... including rights-of-way, parks, public areas and easements for drainage, sewer, water and other public utilities, with a DBH of six inches or more."
What's protected in Columbus
- Protected trees — the code defines these as "a Beautification Plan Tree, a Public Protected Tree, or an exceptional specimen tree." Section 4.6.12.F.2: any of these "may only be cut with permission of the City Arborist or in the event of his denial, the Tree Board."
- Exceptional Specimen Trees — the only category that can attach to a tree on private land, and only after an affirmative Tree Board designation on application: "any tree which upon application is determined by the Tree Board to be a unique and intrinsic value to the general public because of its size, age, historic association or ecological value."
- Beautification Plan Trees — trees planted under the Columbus Beautification Plan, a GDOT encroachment permit, a funded streetscape programme, or with the consolidated government's permission in a street or highway right-of-way.
- Trees within 100 feet of the Chattahoochee River, where "Land may not be used, and vegetation shall not be disturbed, within the stream buffer." Pre-existing uses and a single-family dwelling on a lot of at least two acres are exempted.
How to apply in Columbus
- 1
For a tree in your own yard there is nothing to apply for.
- 2
If you are building, adding or demolishing, the Residential Tree Plan Application must be submitted by the developer or builder and approved by the City Arborist before the building permit is released. It is a planting requirement, not a removal permit: lots of 7,500 square feet or more need two trees, smaller lots need one.
- 3
For a tree on city property, a request may go to the City Arborist "if accompanied by a proposed landscape plan," which must replace all removed trees at a 1:1 ratio, with a $35 fee. But Public Works also says citizens and their contractors may not do this work themselves.
- 4
To report a city tree that needs attention, call 311 or 706-653-4000. Public Works states the usual response time is about 20 to 30 days.
- 5
The City Arborist "shall review and approve or disapprove a plan within 15 working days after it is filed."
Fees, penalties, and the ordinance
- Fee
- There is no fee for private residential tree removal because there is no permit. The Inspections and Code schedule of permit fees contains no tree line item. Fees that do exist: a public-tree work permit at "$35.00... for each permit"; a $25.00 tree expert examination fee; and a development Tree Replacement Fund contribution priced at $220.00 per unit of density deficit.
- Penalties
- Section 4.6.19.E: "The penalty for any violation of this Article shall be in accordance with the applicable portions of the City Code. Each day of any violation of any provision of this Article shall constitute a separate offense. Any action which results in the death or destruction of a public tree located on Columbus Consolidated Government property shall be subject to a fine in an amount equal to $100.00 for each inch of diameter at breast height or stump diameter if the tree is no longer present, up to a maximum fine of $1,000.00." Falsifying an application carries a minimum $500 fine and a five-year bar on certifying compliance.
- Ordinance
- Columbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances, Appendix A (Unified Development Ordinance), Chapter 4, Article 6 — Tree Preservation and Replacement (sections 4.6.1 to 4.6.19) and Article 7 — Additional Tree Requirements (sections 4.7.1 to 4.7.7); definitions at section 13.1.1; Tree Board at section 9.2.6. Original tree ordinance effective June 4, 2002; amended by Ord. No. 05-32 (4-5-05), Ord. No. 09-40 (7-14-09), Ord. No. 12-53 (12-4-12), Ord. No. 14-2 (1-14-14) and Ord. No. 19-013 (3-26-19), the last of which created the protected-tree prohibition. Code codified through Ordinance No. 26-010, adopted March 24, 2026.
Worth knowing
- Columbus says it in its own words. The Public Works FAQ answers "I have a tree that looks sick can you go out and give me an evaluation?" with "We cannot do evaluations of private trees. It places unnecessary liability on the City," and "My neighbor's tree has dead limbs falling on my property. Can you make him remove the tree?" with "We cannot order private trees to be removed unless they are a direct threat to the Right-of-Way and public."
- The tree service you hire is licensed even though you are not. Section 4.7.4.E: "the City shall require anyone who removes or maintains trees as a business on public or private lands to be licensed," by examination from the City Arborist, though "Passage of the examination administered by the International Society for Arboriculture (ISA) for Certified Arborist or Certified Tree Worker may be accepted in lieu." A separate city business license is required under Code section 19-36.
- You may not cut the city tree in front of your house, and neither may your contractor. Public Works: "You may not cut the tree yourself or have a private contractor do the work. We have trained crews that will remove the tree. Please call 311 and make a work request."
- Easements are your problem, not the city's: "Easements are private property making you responsible to remove the tree."
- Single-family lots are carved out of the replacement duty. Section 4.6.12.C requires replacement "except in single-family residential lots," so even in a subdivision built under an approved tree plan a homeowner is not on the hook to replace a tree that dies or comes out.
- Topping a city tree is a flat ban with no permit available: "The topping of any City tree for any purpose, including sight clearance for billboards, is prohibited and a permit shall not be issued for such action."
- The city can declare a tree on private property a nuisance, give you 15 days to correct, then remove it and place a lien on the property with seven percent interest.
- Storms suspend the rules. Section 4.7.1.F waives sections 4.7.4 and 4.7.5 "In case of emergencies, such as windstorms, or other disasters."
- The official tree of Columbus is the Muskogee Crape Myrtle.
What we could not confirm
We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.
- — Whether any tree in Columbus has actually been designated an Exceptional Specimen Tree. The code says "The City Arborist shall keep a record of all specimen trees so designated and their location," but no register, map or application form is published. A homeowner cannot self-check and would have to call 311.
- — The name of the current City Arborist. Cory Tucker is published as Urban Forestry and Right-of-Way Division Manager; the UDO assigns the City Arborist role to the "Urban Forestry and Beautification Division Manager," and the definitions section calls it the "Landscape and Forestry Division." The code is internally inconsistent on the division name.
- — Any published roster of city-licensed tree experts, or the tree expert examination application form. The requirement is in the ordinance but nothing implementing it is online.
- — The correct Inspections and Code address. The department web page gives 1111 1st Avenue, 3rd Floor, while the official Schedule of Permit Fees letterhead gives 420 10th Street. Both are reported.
- — A direct phone line for Public Works. Only 311 and 706-653-4000 are published.
Sources
- Columbus GA Code — UDO Chapter 4 Article 6, Tree Preservation and Replacement
- Columbus GA Code — UDO Chapter 4 Article 7, Additional Tree Requirements
- Columbus GA Code — UDO Chapter 13, Definitions
- Columbus Public Works — Urban Forestry and Right-of-Way Division
- Columbus Public Works — FAQs on private versus city trees
- Columbus Inspections and Code — Permits and Forms
- Columbus Residential Tree Plan Application (PDF)
- Columbus Schedule of Permit Fees, effective July 1, 2024 (PDF)