Hillsborough County Tree Removal Permits: Fees, Timelines, and What Homeowners in Seffner Should Expect

If you have a tree in your yard that needs to come down, the very next question is usually not about the chainsaw or the crew.

It is this.

Do I need a permit for this in Hillsborough County

If you are in Seffner or nearby areas like Brandon, Valrico, Plant City, Riverview, Dover, Thonotosassa, or Mango, you are in the same boat as a lot of homeowners. One neighbor will swear they never needed a permit. Another will tell you their job stalled because of paperwork. And suddenly something that should feel straightforward feels confusing.

This blog breaks it down in plain language so you know what to check, where to apply, what it costs, what can slow you down, and how to avoid the common mistakes that create delays.

This is general education, not legal advice. Requirements can vary depending on whether you are in unincorporated Hillsborough County or inside a city limit, and your specific property details matter.

Start here: Unincorporated county or city rules

Hillsborough County’s tree removal permit process discussed in this post applies to unincorporated Hillsborough County. The county’s permit page specifically references residential properties and directs homeowners to their Residential Tree Removal Guide to determine whether a permit is needed.

If you are inside a city boundary, the city may have its own process. So before you do anything else, confirm your jurisdiction. This one step prevents most of the headaches people run into.

The fastest answer to “Do I need a permit”

Hillsborough County tells homeowners to use the Residential Tree Removal Guide to determine whether a permit is required.

That is your starting point, because not every situation triggers a permit the same way. The guide is designed to help homeowners decide without guessing.

If you want the simple rule of thumb, it is this.

Do not schedule removal until you have checked the county guidance for your property.

What does a Hillsborough County tree removal permit cost

Hillsborough County lists the permit cost as $81.65 for any number of trees to be removed within a five acre parcel, and additional acres cost $24.93 per acre.

They also list the same fee breakdown on their Natural Resources Fees page.

What this means for most Seffner homeowners is that you are typically paying the base fee, because most residential lots are well under five acres.

Where to apply

Hillsborough County states that tree removal permits are only available through their online portal, HillsGovHub.

HillsGovHub is the county’s online permitting and application system where you can submit and track applications.

So if you are looking for a paper form or trying to do this in person, you will end up going in circles. The county wants these submitted online.

Timeline: how long should you expect it to take

Timelines can vary depending on workload and the details of your application. The key takeaway is that permits are not instant, so the best way to avoid stress is to start the process before you feel rushed.

If a storm is already on the radar and you are just starting paperwork, that is when homeowners feel stuck.

The practical way to plan is like this.

If the tree is routine and you are removing it for convenience, plan early because you may be waiting on review.

If the tree is truly hazardous, you may have a different path available, which we will cover next.

Hazardous trees and the Florida “unacceptable risk” rule

Florida has a statute that can affect local permitting requirements when a tree is hazardous on residential property.

Florida Statute 163.045 defines “unacceptable risk” and says a tree poses an unacceptable risk if removal is the only means of practically mitigating its risk below moderate, as determined by the tree risk assessment procedures outlined in the ISA best management practices document referenced in the statute.

This does not mean every scary looking tree automatically qualifies. It means the risk has to be documented the right way, using the standard described in the statute.

The City of Tampa provides a helpful explanation of what documentation must establish for the statutory exemption, including the unacceptable risk definition tied to that ISA risk assessment standard.

The calm takeaway is this.

If you believe a tree is genuinely dangerous, a certified arborist risk assessment is not just helpful for safety. It can also clarify what rules apply and what documentation matters.

Things that commonly slow homeowners down

Most permit delays are not because the county is trying to make life hard. They happen because homeowners accidentally skip a step or assume something that is not true.

Not confirming if the tree is on private property or in a public area

If the tree is in a public maintained area or right of way, it may not be something you can simply remove as a homeowner.

Hillsborough County has a resident request page related to removal of fallen trees or limbs in public maintained areas and gives specific guidance for immediate roadway safety issues.

If your tree is near the street, sidewalk, or drainage area, do not assume it is fully yours to remove without checking.

Applying without using the county guide first

The county specifically directs residential property owners to consult the Residential Tree Removal Guide to determine whether a permit is needed.

Skipping that step is how people end up submitting the wrong thing or missing required details.

Waiting until the last second

This is the biggest one. Once you need the work done tomorrow, every delay feels ten times bigger.

A lot of homeowners start thinking about tree removal when hurricane season ramps up. That is also when everyone else does, which can mean longer wait times for both permits and scheduling.

Neighbor consent and shared tree situations

This comes up constantly in Seffner neighborhoods with tight lots.

Hillsborough County provides a shared tree removal neighbor consent form as part of the resources listed on their tree removal permit page.

If the tree is shared or sits on a line, you want to address consent early, not after you have already scheduled a crew.

The simplest way to keep it drama free is to treat it like a planning step.

Talk to the neighbor early 

Document the agreement 

Then move forward

Step by step process that keeps you out of trouble

Here is the cleanest path for most homeowners.

Step 1: Confirm jurisdiction

Determine whether your property is in unincorporated Hillsborough County or a city jurisdiction.

Step 2: Use the county guide

Hillsborough County tells residential property owners to consult the Residential Tree Removal Guide to determine whether a permit is needed.

Step 3: Apply online if required

The county states permits are only available through HillsGovHub. HillsGovHub is the county system used to submit and track applications.

Step 4: If the tree is hazardous, get documentation first

Florida Statute 163.045 defines unacceptable risk and ties it to formal tree risk assessment procedures. A certified arborist assessment can help determine whether the tree meets that threshold and what paperwork is appropriate.

Step 5: Schedule removal with a professional crew

If you are removing a tree that could hit a structure, is near utilities, or requires rigging, professional removal is the safest route.

What homeowners usually ask next

How much is the Hillsborough County permit again

The county lists $81.65 for any number of trees removed within a five acre parcel, plus $24.93 per additional acre beyond five acres.

Can I apply on paper

The county states tree removal permits are only available through HillsGovHub.

What if I am removing multiple trees

The county’s tree resources page states the $81.65 permit cost applies for any number of trees within the five acre parcel limit.

What if the tree is dangerous and I cannot wait

Florida Statute 163.045 addresses hazardous trees on residential property through the unacceptable risk standard tied to formal tree risk assessment procedures. If you think the tree is genuinely hazardous, start with a certified arborist risk assessment so you have clarity and documentation.

A simple Seffner mindset that saves you stress

If a tree can hit your house, your neighbor’s roof, or a power line corridor, do not treat it like a casual yard project. Treat it like a safety decision.

Check the county guide early Understand the permit path Document hazards properly when they exist Use a professional crew

That is how you avoid last minute panic, avoid neighbor issues, and avoid scheduling chaos right when storm season is ramping up.

Call to action

If you are in Seffner or nearby and you are unsure whether your tree removal requires a permit, or you are worried a tree may be hazardous, the safest first step is an assessment.

From there, you will know whether you are in a normal permit lane, a hazard documentation lane, or a simple pruning lane.