CITY OF SEMINOLE

TREE CITY U.S.A.

TREE REMOVAL PERMIT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

INSTRUCTIONS (Contact the Community Development Department for questions (727) 398-3108)
A Tree Removal Permit is required pursuant to Chapter 62, Article II. Tree Protection (see Exhibit A)
for any tree(s) 4-inch diameter at breast height (DBH) or greater, except exempt trees. Please complete
the attached application and return it, in person, to the Community Development Department, City of Seminole,
9199 – 113th Street N., Seminole, FL 33772, or submit signed application via e-mail to Renee Reid
([email protected]) along with:

1. Plot Plan or survey or approved landscape plan that shows the following:
a. Location of existing buildings, driveways and accessory structures, power lines.
b. The species, size and condition of trees to be removed, with accurate dimensions showing the
location of the trees. “Size” means the diameter (dbh) of a tree measured at a point 4½ feet in
height from the base of the tree at grade level.
c. Any other trees on the property that are to remain.
d. Any palms to be removed that are shown on an approved landscape plan. Provide clear trunk
measurement and species of palms to be removed.
2. Tree(s) to be removed must be depicted on a location map and clearly marked or otherwise easily
identifiable for inspection (i.e., ribbon, tape, paint, etc.). City staff may conduct an inspection to
verify the information provided in the application.

In addition to the submittal items required above, when a protected specimen tree species (Mangrove,
Live Oak or Laurel Oak) 4-inch DBH or greater, or any other protected tree (such as Magnolia, Bald
Cypress, Sycamore, Sweetgum, Red Maple, Elm or Pine) that is 20-inch DBH or greater, is proposed to
be removed, the Applicant must also attach to the permit application, a signed report prepared by a
private Certified Arborist regarding the current condition of the tree(s) along with photographs.
Justification for protected tree removal must identify if tree is suspected of being dead, dying or in
declining health to the point where the tree cannot otherwise be preserved; and/or, in those cases where
a tree is proposed to be removed because of damage being caused to an adjacent structure by a tree and
there is no practical way to preserve the tree.

PROCESSING SCHEDULE

 Staff reviews the application for completeness.

 Staff may conduct a site inspection to examine proposed tree(s) to be removed. Staff does not provide
arborist services.
 Community Development Director or designee approves, approves with conditions or denies the permit
application.
 Permit Technician will notify the Property Owner/Contractor of the Director’s determination by
telephone.
 Applicant or representative picks-up permit at the City.

The permit fee for removing a tree(s) is $25.00. Make check payable to the City of Seminole.
A permit is required for tree/palm removal related to an approved landscape plan; however, no fee will be
required.
July 2018 Page 1
 TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION
TO BE COMPETED BY APPLICANT
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
DATE________________________

SITE ADDRESS OR PIN NUMBER ______________________________________________

PRINT OWNER NAME, PHONE NUMBER & E-MAIL_________________________________________

PRINT CONTRACTOR NAME, PHONE NUMBER & E-Mail____________________________________

NUMBER OF TREES TO BE REMOVED________________________

SPECIES AND SIZE (DBH) OF EACH TREE TO BE REMOVED____________________

______________________________________________________________________________

REASON(S) FOR REMOVAL:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

TREE LOCATION: ¤ PRIVATE LOT ¤ IN COMMON AREA [PROVIDE LOCATION MAP]

LAND USE: ¤ RESIDENTIAL ¤ COMMERCIAL ¤ INDUSTRIAL

PLEASE CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THAT APPLIES TO THE SUBJECT TREE(S):

¤ HEALTHY ¤ DYING (DISEASED) ¤ DEAD

When the property owner is proposing removal of a protected specimen tree (Mangrove, Live Oak or
Laurel Oak) 4-inch DBH or greater, or any other protected tree (such as Magnolia, Bald Cypress,
Sycamore, Red Maple, Sweetgum, Elm or Pine) that is 20-inch DBH or greater, the City requires that a
certified arborist will attest in writing that the tree should be removed, or is otherwise incapable of being
preserved in any other manner. Additionally, the City may require a second arborist’s report, to be paid
for by the property owner. Contact the City for a list of protected trees.

When the property owner is proposing the removal of a protected specimen tree(s), or any tree(s) 4-inch
diameter at breast height or greater, or tree(s) and/or palm(s) shown an approved landscape plan, the City may
require the property owner to replace the palm(s) and/or effective trunk diameter at breast height of the tree(s),
with an equivalent cumulative diameter of approved trees on owner’s property. Examples of protected specimen
trees and approved replacement trees are listed in Article II (see Exhibit B). If there is no practical way that this
replacement can occur on the owner’s property, then the property owner may be required to contribute the cost,
as established by the City, of an equivalent number of dbh inches of trees into the City’s Street Scape program
for canopy tree replacement.

Exempt trees: The following invasive tree species may be removed without a permit: Malelueca (Punk
tree), Ear Tree, Cuban Laurel, Australian Pine, Chinaberry, Jacaranda, Brazilian Pepper tree, Camphor
and Australian Pine, also refer to Exhibit A.
July 2018 Page 2
Hiring an unlicensed contractor, in addition to being against the law, may result in you paying twice for the
work or paying civil judgments against the homeowner should the worker be injured on your property.
Removal of a tree without a permit is a violation of City Code which may result in fines and penalties as
provided for in the Code.

AFFIDAVIT
Application is hereby made to obtain a permit to remove the tree(s) as indicated. I understand that the
City of Seminole protects trees as a natural resource and when the proposed trees to be removed are
protected specimen and/or protected trees, the City requires an arborist’s report be submitted with the
Permit Application. I further understand that that City can require that I provide tree replacement on-
site or the City may accept a financial contribution to the equivalent amount of trunk diameter by
payment of mitigation fees as established by the City. I also grant permission to the City staff to enter my
property to inspect the tree(s) to be removed.

I also understand that I am responsible for payment to the City for repair of any damage to city
infrastructure caused by the removal of the tree by the Contractor or myself, or as approved by the City,
to make such repairs at my own expense and subject to a City issued permit.

Hiring an unlicensed construction worker or Contractor is in violation of Florida Law and may result in
penalties and fines.

I certify that I have read and understand the information and requirements for this permit, that all the
foregoing information is accurate, that no work or installation has commenced prior to the issuance of a
permit, and that all work will be performed to meet the standards and laws in this jurisdiction.

Property Owner Signature________________________________________________ Date ____________

***THE PROPERTY OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT A PERMIT IS APPLIED FOR,
PICKED UP AND PAID FOR, AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING THE APPROVED
PERMIT FOR ANY REQUIRED TREE REPLACEMENT*** [WHERE THE PROPERTY IS WITHIN
A HOMEOWNER, CONDOMINIUM OR MOBILE HOME PARK ASSOCIATION, AN APPROVAL
LETTER FROM THE ASSOCIATION IS REQUIRED (SEE ATTACHED SAMPLE LETTER.)]

Contractor Signature_____________________________________________________ Date ____________

***THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE PROPERTY OWNER
RECEIVES A COPY OF THE APPROVED PERMIT AND ANY REQUIRED TREE
REPLACEMENT***

Application Approved by______________________________________ Date ____________

With conditions for tree replacement (see attached staff report).

Without conditions (see attached staff report).

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING PAGES CAREFULLY BEFORE FILLING OUT THE
APPLICATION. EXHIBIT A IS A COPY OF THE CITY’S CODE REGARDING TREE PROTECTION
AND EXHIBIT B PROVIDES A LIST OF REPLACEMENT TREES THAT MUST BE APPROVED FOR
TREE REPLACEMENT BY CITY STAFF.

If you have any further question please contact the Community Development Department at 727-398-
3108.
July 2018 Page 3
 EXHIBIT A
CHAPTER 62- ARTICLE II. TREE PROTECTION

Sec. 62-33. Permit required -Small tracts.

(a) On platted lots or tracts of less than one acre in area, it shall be unlawful for any person to remove or cause to be
removed any protected tree, except exempt trees, with a trunk dbh of four inches or more without first having a tree
removal permit to do so as provided in this article.

(b) On approved nonresidential or multi-family development landscape plans, no tree or palm shown on the approved
landscape plan shall be removed without first obtaining a tree removal permit.

Sec. 62-34. Permit required Large tracts.

(a) On any platted or unplatted tract of one acre or more in area, it shall be unlawful for any person to remove or cause to
be removed any protected tree, except exempt trees, with a trunk dbh of four inches or more, without first having
obtained a tree removal permit to do so as provided in this article.

(b) On approved nonresidential, multi-family or single-family subdivision development landscape plans, no tree or palm
shown on the approved landscape plan shall be removed without first obtaining a tree removal permit.

Sec. 62-35. Protected and exempt trees.

(a) Protected species. All species commonly known as mangroves (Avicennia germinans, black mangrove;
Laguncularia racemosa, white mangrove; Rhizophora mangle, red mangrove; Conocarpus erectus, buttonwood) of
whatever size, as well as the species Quercus Virginiana (live oak) and Quercus laurifolia (laurel oak), of four (4) inch
dbh or greater, and any other protected tree species, except exempt trees, 20-inch dbh or greater are recognized to be of
special ecological value. No mangrove tree, live oak or laurel oak or any other protected tree species 20-inch dbh or
greater shall be removed without a tree removal permit and a report prepared by a certified arborist, provided by the
permittee, regarding the current condition of the tree(s) and specific reasons for removal. Where, in the opinion of the city
manager or designee, a large numbers of protected trees less than 20-inch dbh are proposed to be removed, a report
prepared by a certified arborist regarding the current condition of the tree(s) and specific reasons for removal may be
required to be submitted with the permit application.

(b) Mangroves exempt from survey. Due to the vegetative characteristics of mangroves, they will be exempt from the
tree survey requirement; but no other permitting procedures will nullify the requirements of this article, including site plan
review.

(c) Commercial nursery/tree farm. The terms and provisions of this article shall not apply to a commercial nursery or
tree farm.

(d) Exempt trees. Specifically exempt from the terms and provisions of this article are the following species of nuisance
trees:
(1) Melaleuca quinquen ervia (punk).
(2) Enterolobiom cyclo carpum (ear).
(3) Melia azedarach (chinaberry tree).
(4) Jacaranda mimosaefolia (jacaranda tree).
(5) Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper).
(6) Casuarina equisetifolia (Australian pine).
(7) Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor)
(8) Sapium sebiferum (Chinese tallow tree)

July 2018 Page 4

The above list shall be supplemented by exotic and/or invasive plant species that are determined to be noxious, invasive,
cause environmental degradation to native habitats, or to be detrimental to human health, safety or the public welfare by
the city manager or designee and/or as identified by the University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

Sec. 62-36. Reforestation.

(a) Reforestation required. As a condition for the issuance of a permit under the provisions of this land development
code, the city manager or designee may require that the owner of the property either relocate or replace any trees with
comparable substitutes within designated areas of the property. The permittee may be required to replace the tree(s) based
on a minimum dbh or caliper size and height and/or pay a mitigation fee on the tree(s) proposed to be removed on a per
dbh inch basis. The City shall establish the basis for the per dbh inch mitigation fee to compute the total cost of
mitigation for each protected tree species proposed to be removed. No tree which has been planted as a replacement under
the provisions of this section may be removed without a tree removal permit, regardless of size. No mitigation fee will be
assessed where a report prepared by a certified arborist has determined the protected tree is diseased, dead, in a sever state
of decline or poses a public safety threat. However, tree replacement may be required.

(b) Replacement species. A list of suggested tree replacement species is available upon request; the trees on this list
were selected from the viewpoint of hardiness, disease and pest resistance, availability, and size. It is not intended to limit
acceptable species, but rather to provide adequate guidelines. However, in no case shall single-trunk palms or cluster
palms (at a replacement ratio of 3:1) and/or accent trees (at a replacement ratio of 2:1) constitute more than 20 percent of
the total number of required replacement trees.

Sec. 62-37. Protection during construction.

(a) Area of protection. It shall be unlawful for any person in the construction of any structures or improvements to place
material, machinery or temporary soil deposits within six feet or two-thirds of the drip line, whichever distance is greater,
of any tree having a dbh of four-inch or greater.

(b) Barriers required. Before development, demolition, excavation, land clearing or any other land alterations that may
affect the health of existing trees, the developer shall be required to erect suitable protective barriers; further, these
barriers shall remain until such time as they are authorized to be removed. During construction, no wires or attachments of
any kind shall be affixed to any of these trees.
(Code 1991, § 5.01.07)

Sec. 62-38. Emergencies.

In the case of emergencies such as hurricane, windstorm, flood, freeze or other disasters or hazards, the
requirements of this division may be waived by the city manager or designee upon a finding that such waiver is necessary
so that public or private work to restore order in the community will not be impeded.

Sec. 62-39. Public right-of-way.

No trees shall be removed from the public right-of-way except under the direction of the city manager or
designee.

July 2018 Page 5

 EXHIBIT B

THE TREE REMOVAL PERMIT APPROVAL MAY REQUIRE A SPECIFIC TYPE OF TREE
REPLACEMENT BASED ON THE SIZE AND TYPE OF TREE THAT WAS REMOVED,
PROPERTY WIDTH, DEPTH AND REMAINING LANDSCAPING, AND NEIGHBORHOOD TREE
CANOPY. THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF REPLACEMENT TREES THAT MUST BE
APPROVED BY CITY STAFF FOR ALTERNATIVE TREE REPLACEMENT.

CANOPY TREES [Replacement for a Canopy tree at a 1:1 ratio. Minimum size of 2”-3” Caliper, 8’-10’
high]:

Southern Red Oak

Live Oak
Weeping Elm
Winged Elm
Magnolia
Red Maple
Sycamore
Sweetgum
Golden Shower
Royal Poinciana

ACCENT TREES [Replacement for a Canopy tree at a 2:1 ratio. Minimum size of 2”-3” DBH or Caliper,
8’-10’ high]:

Crape Myrtle (Single-Trunk)

Weeping Yaupon Holly
Weeping Bottlebrush
Silver Buttonwood

PALMS [ONLY WITH STAFF APPROVAL: Replacement for a Canopy tree at a 3:1 ratio. Minimum
size of 10’ clear trunk]

Royal
Christmas
Medjool
Queen
Foxtail

All replacement trees/palms must be Florida Grade #1.

July 2018 Page 6

[SAMPLE OR SIMILAR LETTER FOR HOAs, CONDOS AND MHPs TO SUBMIT WITH
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT]

Date: _______________

City of Seminole
Community Development Department
9199 113th Street North
Seminole, FL 33772

RE: Tree Removal Permit for property at __________________________________

To Whom It May Concern,

Please be advised, that I ___________________________________________________

(print name of the President or other authorized person, or authorized agent of the Property

Management Company) as the authorized representative of the _________________________

(HOA, MHP or Condominium Association name), hereby authorize the submittal of a Tree

Removal Permit for the above referenced property owned by ________________________

(property owner name).

I understand that the City of Seminole may require tree replacement as a condition of the Tree

Removal Permit and that the property owner and/or the ____________________________

(HOA, MHP or Condominium Association name) will be responsible for complying with the tree

replacement requirement.

Sincerely,

(Signature of the President or other authorized person, or authorized agent of the Property
Management Company along with contact address, phone number and e-mail address)