Tree Permitting PresentationCity of Atlantic Beach
Tree Permitting
Chapter 23: Tree and Vegetation
Regulations
Administration
City Commission
Tree Administrator
Establishment of Tree Fund
Permits
Required
Exemptions
Procedures
Inspections
Appeals
Fees
General Provisions
Minimum Requirements
Prohibitions
Tree Protections
Mitigation
Maintenance
Invasive Species
Diseased/Pest Infested Trees
Tree Fund Payments
Violations
Violations
Stop Work Orders
Penalties
Administration
Commission
Approves the ordinances creating the code requirements
Tree Administrator
Review and issues permits
Perform inspections
Recommend changes to the codes
Tree Fund Establishment
Dedicated fund
Priority uses: plant or replace trees or vegetation along public rights-
of-way or public lands (parks, City Hall, etc.)
Secondary uses: landscape materials or equipment necessary for
preservation, maintenance, relocation or restoration of trees on
public lands or for education programs
Permitting: Required
New Development
Construction in Excess of $10k
Clearing Without Development
Removal of a Legacy Tree
Permitting: Exemptions
No Construction within 2 Years Before or After in Excess of $10k
Except for Legacy Trees
Emergency Situation
Storm damage
Safety Hazard
Poses a threat to public health, safety or welfare
Diseased or Pest Infested Trees
Utility Operations
Ex: JEA
Surveyors/Engineers
City Crews
Permitting: Procedures
Timeline
Application submitted
5 days to complete a submittal completeness review
Post online for 3 day review period once application is complete
7 days to review application including running calculations
Perform an initial inspection
Post issue ready permit for 5 day review period
Issue permit
Application Contents
Completed application with contact information
Proof of ownership with owners authorization if necessary
List of all trees on property and their status
Site plan of all trees on property including plantings
Tree protection plan
Permitting: Inspections, Appeals, Fees
Inspections
Initial Inspection: Ensure accuracy of permit application
Protective Barricade Inspection: Ensure protective barricades are in place
Final Inspection: Ensure compliance with permit
Maintenance Inspection (optional): Ensure required trees are maintained
Appeals
Appeals can be made by an adversely effected person during the 5 day
period prior to issuance.
Appeals start with the Tree Subcommittee
Application Fees
$25 for single Legacy Tree
$125 for single and two family residential
$250 for multi-family and commercial
General Provisions
Minimum Requirements
Residential: 1-4” tree per 2,500 square feet of lot area
Commercial: 1-4” tree per 8,000 square feet of lot area
Industrial/Public: 1-4” tree per 10,000 square feet of lot area
Prohibitions
Excessive or improper pruning
Pruning or removal of city trees
Tree spiking
Attachments
Unauthorized clearing of undeveloped and developed lots
Tree Protections-Barricades around the base of all preserved
trees to protect the root system during construction.
General Provisions: Mitigation
Mitigation is the required compensation when removing a
protected tree.
Mitigation Ratios
Private property: 1 inch for every 2 inches removed
Public property: 1 inch for every 1 inch removed
Mitigation Credit
Preservation credit is given when non-protected trees are not
removed (residential: 3”-6”, commercial: 3”-10”)
Relocation credit is given when existing trees are relocated on site
with no consideration of size
Planting credit is given when new trees are planted on site
General Provisions: Planting Rules
Oaks
Minimum 4 inch caliper and 12 feet tall at planting
Oaks replace oaks
Legacy Trees
Legacy trees replace legacy trees
Palms
Minimum 8 foot clear trunk at planting
Palms can used as mitigation for other removed species up to the
lesser of 40 inches or half of the total required mitigation
Others
Minimum 2 inch caliper and 10 feet tall at planting
Maintenance
All trees used for mitigation must be maintained for 3 years
General Provisions: Tree Lists
Legacy Trees-20 inches or larger
Bald Cypress
Southern Red Cedar, Eastern Red Cedar
Winged Elm, Florida Elm
Live Oak, Sand Live Oak (8”)
Pecan, Mockernut, Pignut Hickory
Loblolly Bay
Southern Magnolia, Sweetbay Magnolia
Red Maple, Florida Maple
Tupelo
Recommended Species
Shade Trees-28 species
Understory Trees-15 species
Palm Trees-5 species
Prohibited Species-27 species
General Provisions: Tree Fund
Tree Fund Rate
Mirrors City of Jacksonville’s rate
Based on the cost to buy and plant a 4 inch Live Oak per inch
Current rate is $123.00
Residential
Tree Fund contributions can be made after at least 50% of required
mitigation is accomplished by preservation, relocation or plantings
Commercial
Tree Fund contributions can be made once the Administrator
determines no more trees can be planted.
Violations
Violations
Removal without a permit
Failure to comply with issued permit
Failure to meet maintenance requirements
Notice of Violation with Stop Work Order
Allowed to correct violation
Penalties
No new building permits
Double permit fees
Double mitigation
Report to DBPR
Code enforcement action
Example
Tree Permit
Trees Removed
(3) 30” Pine
(5) 8” Holly
(6) 16” Palm, Dead
(7) 10” Palm
(8) 4” Live Oak
(9) 22” Magnolia
(10) 14” Palm
(11) 16” Live Oak
Trees Preserved
(1) 25” Pine
(2) 3” Crape Myrtle
(4) 30” Live Oak
(12) 5” Live Oak
Example
Tree Permit
Trees Removed
(3) 30” Pine (P)
(5) 8” Holly (P)
(6) 16” Palm, Dead (NP)
(7) 10” Palm (P)
(8) 4” Live Oak (NP)
(9) 22” Magnolia (P, Legacy)
(10) 14” Palm (P)
(11) 16” Live Oak (P)
Example
Tree Permit
Trees Preserved
(1) 25” Pine (P)
(2) 3” Crape Myrtle (NP)
(4) 30” Live Oak (P)
(12) 5” Live Oak (NP)
Trees Planted
2-3” Crape Myrtles
2-4” Live Oaks
2-10” Palms
4” Elm
2” Maple
2” Holly
Example
Tree Permit
Legacy Oaks replacing removed Oaks
Legacy Oaks replacing removed Legacy Magnolia
Palms (less than 40”) replacing others
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Questions?