Do I Need a Permit to Remove This Tree in Hillsborough County?

The short answer

Sometimes. In Hillsborough County, whether you need a permit depends on where the tree sits (county vs. city limits), how big it is, what species it is, and why you’re removing it. Florida also has a state law—Florida Statute 163.045—that lets homeowners remove a dangerous tree on residential property without a local permit if a qualified professional documents that removal is the only practical way to reduce the risk. You still need the right paperwork on site, and city rules (Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City) can differ from county rules, so don’t swing a chainsaw until you’ve checked your jurisdiction and your tree’s status. Online Sunshine+1

Step 1: Are you in unincorporated Hillsborough County—or inside a city?

Hillsborough County has one set of rules for unincorporated areas. If you’re inside the City of Tampa, Temple Terrace, or Plant City, you follow that city’s tree code and permitting process instead. The county’s own guide says to verify your jurisdiction first, then use its decision chart to see if a permit is required. You can apply online through HillsGovHub if you are in unincorporated Hillsborough.

Step 2: If you’re in unincorporated Hillsborough County

When a permit is typically required (by size & location)

The county’s Residential Tree Removal Guide uses trunk diameter at breast height (DBH, measured 4.5" above ground) and location on the lot to decide if you need a permit. Examples:

• Yards (front/side/back) on single-family lots: A permit is required for most trees ≥ 12" DBH.

• Required street/Right-of-Way trees: A permit can be required at ≥ 5" DBH.

• Grand oaks (any oak with ≥ 34" DBH and a qualifying canopy score) are subject to stricter rules.

• Trees in wetlands or conservation areas are regulated by the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) even if the county would otherwise exempt them. hcfl.gov

Fees, timing & penalties

• Fee: The county’s current tree-removal permit fee is $81.65 per parcel and covers any number of trees on the first 5 acres; $24.93 per additional acre after that. Apply via HillsGovHub. hcfl.gov+1

• Timeline: County review typically takes 3–4 weeks. If you hire an ISA-Certified Arborist to complete the county’s affidavit and risk/condition evaluation, the county can issue a result in about 5 business days. hcfl.gov

• Penalties for skipping the permit: Removing a tree without the required permit (and without a qualifying hazard letter) can trigger monetary penalties, including about $65 per inch of trunk diameter and required mitigation/replanting. hcfl.gov

Trees that don’t need a permit in unincorporated areas

Hillsborough County maintains a list of exempt species (often invasive or nuisance trees) that can be removed without a tree-removal permit—examples include Brazilian pepper, chinaberry, camphor, Norfolk Island pine, Chinese tallow, and queen palm (with conditions). Always verify your tree is on the county’s current exempt list before cutting. If a listed tree is in or near a wetland or water body, EPC rules may still apply. hcfl.gov

Step 3: If you’re inside the City of Tampa

Tampa’s tree code is its own system. Key points:

• Removal: Many common species (oaks, pines, elms, etc.) are “protected” at ≥ 5" DBH and require a removal permit. Apply through Accela (the city’s online portal). City of Tampa

• Pruning: If a tree is ≥ 24" DBH, even pruning typically requires a permit or a report from a City-recognized ISA-certified private arborist. City of Tampa

• Using the state hazard exemption (FS 163.045): Tampa recognizes the statute but requires you to have the ISA-certified arborist (or Florida-licensed landscape architect) risk assessment on site at the time of removal, and that report must show the tree poses an “unacceptable risk” (removal is the only way to reduce risk below “moderate”). City of Tampa

Step 4: If you’re in Temple Terrace

Temple Terrace also has its own thresholds:

• Protected trees on residential lots generally require a permit at > 10" DBH, and Grand Trees (≥ 24" DBH for listed species) have stricter standards.

• Palms (except Queen palm) are protected once they have ≥ 4.5 ft of clear trunk.

• Standing dead trees ≥ 12" DBH still require a permit for removal.

• The city confirms its rules are different from Tampa and the County, so always check locally. Temple Terrace

What about Florida’s “dangerous tree” law (FS 163.045)?

This state law limits what local governments can require on residential property when a tree is truly hazardous:

• If a licensed ISA-Certified Arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect conducts an on-site Tree Risk Assessment (BMP, 2nd ed. 2017) and signs documentation that the tree “poses an unacceptable risk” and removal is the only practical way to reduce that risk below moderate, then the city or county may not require a notice, permit, fee, or mitigation for pruning, trimming, or removal. Keep that signed documentation on site during the work. Online Sunshine

• Important limits: The statute applies to local governments, not to mangroves, and it does not itself override private HOA covenants. Many associations still require ARC/ARB approval even if you have a 163.045 hazard letter; the 2022 legal updates clarified “unacceptable risk” and documentation standards but did not give carte blanche to ignore HOA rules. Online Sunshine+1

HOA & Deed-Restricted Communities: What to expect

If you live in an HOA or deed-restricted neighborhood, you’ll often need two green lights:

1. Local government (County or City) — either a permit or a qualifying 163.045 hazard letter (which removes the local permit requirement on residential lots). Online Sunshine

2. Association approval — most HOAs still require ARC/ARB sign-off per the covenants. Attorneys caution that the 163.045 statute addresses government permitting, not private HOA contracts, so you should submit your arborist letter to your HOA and request expedited approval to avoid re-inspection issues. Becker

Pro tip: Even when a permit isn’t required, document everything (photos, dates, the signed hazard assessment) and keep copies for your insurer and HOA. Tampa explicitly notes you should provide the 163.045 documentation so the city can verify the exemption and avoid a violation. City of Tampa

How All Your Way Tree Service can help (and why homeowners hire us)

This is exactly what we do, every day in Hillsborough County:

• Fast Certified-Arborist evaluations. We inspect the tree, perform an ANSI/ISA-compliant Tree Risk Assessment, and—if the tree meets the “unacceptable risk” threshold—prepare the signed documentation you’ll need to use the 163.045 exemption (no local permit required on residential property). Online Sunshine

• Permit handling when a permit is needed. If your tree doesn’t qualify for the exemption, we’ll handle the HillsGovHub application (including site plan, photos, and any required neighbor consent) and manage the process through county review. We also coordinate with the EPC if the tree sits near wetlands or conservation areas. hcfl.gov+1

• HOA & documentation support. We package your arborist letter, photos, and scope of work so your ARC/ARB board can approve quickly—helping you pass re-inspections and avoid fines or insurance issues.

• Safe removals + replacements. If removal is necessary, our Hazardous Tree Removal team handles permitting, traffic control, crane work, and clean-up. We can also recommend replacement species from the County’s approved lists to maintain canopy credits and neighborhood standards. hcfl.gov

Ready to move forward? Tap Certified Arborist to book an assessment, or go straight to Hazardous Tree Removal for priority scheduling.

Common “Do I need a permit?” scenarios in Hillsborough County

• “It’s a dead tree.” If it’s truly dead (no live tissue) and not in a wetland/conservation area, no permit is typically required in unincorporated areas—but document it with photos first and confirm location constraints. Some cities (e.g., Temple Terrace) still require a permit for standing dead trees ≥ 12" DBH. hcfl.gov+1

• “It’s cracking my driveway/septic line.” The County often wants to see whether root pruning can solve the damage before approving removal; an ISA arborist’s evaluation is key. If the arborist determines the tree is an unacceptable risk to structures or utilities, 163.045 may allow removal without a local permit (keep the signed report on site). hcfl.gov+1

• “It’s a big oak near the house.” In unincorporated areas, oaks ≥ 34" DBH with a high-quality canopy can be classified as Grand Oaks and face stricter rules—another reason to bring in a Certified Arborist early. hcfl.gov

• “I’m just trimming, not removing.” In Tampa, pruning a tree ≥ 24" DBH requires a permit or a qualifying private-arborist report. In unincorporated Hillsborough, pruning over 25% of the canopy in a growing season can trigger enforcement—stick to ANSI A300 standards and get guidance before cutting. City of Tampa+1

• “It’s a Brazilian pepper (or other invasive).” Many invasives and certain ornamentals are exempt from County tree-removal permits—but check the current list and be mindful of wetland rules. hcfl.gov

Your quick permit/exemption checklist

1. Confirm your jurisdiction (Unincorporated HC vs. Tampa vs. Temple Terrace vs. Plant City). hcfl.gov

2. Measure DBH at 4.5" above ground and note location (yard vs. required street tree vs. wetland buffer). hcfl.gov

3. Check species against the County’s exempt list (for unincorporated addresses). hcfl.gov

4. If hazardous, get an ISA-Certified Arborist/Florida-licensed LA to perform a Tree Risk Assessment and sign the 163.045 report; keep it on site. Online Sunshine

5. If a permit is required, apply online (HillsGovHub for county; Accela for Tampa; Temple Terrace has its own application). Budget $81.65 for county permits (first 5 acres) and allow 3–4 weeks unless you use the county’s arborist-affidavit fast track (~5 business days). hcfl.gov+1

6. HOA? Submit the arborist letter and scope to your ARC/ARB even if you’re using the state hazard exemption; HOA covenants may still require approval. Becker

“Do it for me” option: We handle the red tape

If you’d rather not juggle statutes, portals, and inspections, our Certified Arborist team can:

• Verify jurisdiction & species, measure DBH, and flag any EPC/wetland constraints. hcfl.gov

• Perform and document an ISA Tree Risk Assessment for FS 163.045 when appropriate. Online Sunshine

• File the county or city permit and coordinate inspections. hcfl.gov+2City of Tampa+2

• Provide before/after photos and a clearance letter for your insurer or HOA re-inspection.

• Complete safe, code-compliant Hazardous Tree Removal, including stump grinding and optional replanting from County-approved lists. hcfl.gov

Tap Certified Arborist to start with a same-week assessment, or head to Hazardous Tree Removal if the tree is already failing.

Helpful (free, credible) resources you can reference

• Hillsborough County – Apply for a Tree Removal Permit (fees, timelines, checklist, HillsGovHub) hcfl.gov

• Hillsborough County – Residential Tree Removal Guide (PDF) (DBH thresholds, Grand Oaks, penalties) hcfl.gov

• Hillsborough County – Trees Exempt from Tree Removal Permits (list of exempt species; EPC note) hcfl.gov

• City of Tampa – Tree Information & FS 163.045 Guidance (protected sizes; pruning permits ≥ 24" DBH; documentation required to use state exemption) City of Tampa

• Temple Terrace – Tree Removal Rules (protected ≥ 10" DBH, grand trees ≥ 24", palm criteria, permit needed for standing dead ≥ 12") Temple Terrace

• Florida Statute § 163.045 (Online Sunshine) — full text & “unacceptable risk” definition (updated 2022) Online Sunshine