Do you need a permit?
Yes — a permit is required
Orlando requires a tree removal permit for any tree 10 inches DBH or larger on any real property, including your own yard. The code itself writes the Florida arborist exemption into the requirement — if you are on residential property and have a report from a TRAQ-certified arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect confirming the tree poses a danger, no permit is required. On commercial property a permit is mandatory either way.
Size threshold
Sec. 65.640: "Unless exempt by section 163.045, Florida Statutes, persons desirous of removing any tree with a diameter at breast height of 10" or larger from any real property shall make application..." Sec. 60.207 repeats it: any tree 10" DBH or larger measured at 4.5' is a protected tree, except invasive exotics.
What's protected in Orlando
- Any tree 10" DBH or larger, except invasive exotic species
- Historic Trees — any healthy tree with a trunk caliper of 30" DBH or more
- Specimen Trees — designated by the Parks Official, including Champion Trees identified by the Florida Division of Forestry or American Forests
- Street trees within public and private street rights-of-way
How to apply in Orlando
- 1
Determine whether you need a permit. On residential property no permit is required with a report from a TRAQ-certified arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect confirming the tree poses a danger. On commercial property a permit is mandatory.
- 2
Confirm the property is inside the City of Orlando limits.
- 3
Submit the application with photographs and any relevant plans, and pay the fee. Allow up to three business days.
- 4
Mark the tree so staff can find it during inspection.
- 5
An arborist inspects within three business days and contacts you with the result.
- 6
On approval the permit issues. If part of a larger project, upload it under the project number in ProjectDox.
- 7
If replanting is required, plant within 60 days and notify the city within 60 days of planting to avoid non-compliance.
Fees, penalties, and the ordinance
- Fee
- The city permit page states $25 for residential and $50 per acre for commercial. The adopted residential fee schedule (effective January 2023) instead lists "$25 per acre (or single family lot)," with no fee for dead trees or prohibited species.
- Penalties
- Sec. 60.210(f): removing a historic or specimen tree without a permit is an irreparable and irreversible violation and a fine of up to $15,000 may be imposed. Other violations: up to $1,000 per day for a first violation, up to $5,000 per day for repeat violations, up to $15,000 where irreparable. The Board may also require replacement trees of at least 3 inches caliper totalling not less than the DBH removed.
- Ordinance
- Orlando City Code Chapter 65, Part 6, Subpart 6F (Secs. 65.640-65.649), with Chapter 60, Part 2B (Secs. 60.206-60.214)
Worth knowing
- The Florida arborist exemption is in the ordinance itself, not just the website — Secs. 65.640 and 65.645 both begin "Unless exempt by section 163.045, Florida Statutes."
- Grounds for approval under Sec. 65.645: street opening, utilities and drainage, property access, property use, invasive exotic species, hazards, and poor tree health.
- A permit not tied to a site plan, building permit or subdivision plat becomes void 90 days after issue.
- All work must meet ISA ANSI Z133.1 safety standards and TCIA ANSI A300 task standards.
- Palms are not separately exempt — they are only distinguished for undisturbed-area purposes.
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.
- — Which fee figure is current — the live permit page and the adopted January 2023 schedule state the commercial fee differently ($50 per acre versus $25 per acre or single family lot).
- — The dollar-per-inch penalty schedule Sec. 60.209(c) says Council may adopt by resolution — we could not locate it as a published document.