Orange County, FL
Tree removal in Orange County, Florida
In unincorporated Orange County, removing trees from an occupied single-family lot of two acres or less doesn't require a county tree removal permit. Larger and non-residential properties need one, with a tree survey of regulated trees 8 inches DBH and up, and specimen and heritage trees get extra protection under rules updated effective March 15, 2024. Cities like Orlando and Winter Park have their own codes.
Orange County at a glance
- Single-family exemption
- Occupied lots of 2 acres or less need no county permit
- Regulated trees
- 8 in. DBH and up on non-exempt properties
- Specimen and heritage trees
- Extra protection; can't be removed in setbacks or buffers
- Code update
- Ordinance 2023-35, effective March 15, 2024
Reviewed and updated
When a county permit isn't needed
Orange County's tree code (Chapter 15, Article VIII) exempts tree removal on occupied single-family residential lots of two acres or less. That covers most homeowners in unincorporated communities like Pine Hills, Azalea Park, Doctor Phillips and much of east Orange County. HOAs, deed restrictions and conservation easements may still apply, and cities inside the county have their own rules.
Larger lots, development and specimen trees
On properties that don't qualify for the exemption, applications are reviewed by the Zoning Division's arborists, and a tree survey by a professional surveyor must show all regulated trees 8 inches DBH and greater, plus specimen and heritage trees. Specimen and heritage trees can't be removed within property-line setbacks or buffer areas, including wetland buffers, and must be designed around near parking lots and stormwater ponds.
These rules were updated by Ordinance 2023-35, effective March 15, 2024, which also addressed minimum trees on residential lots.
Orange County tree removal: what to expect
- 1
Assessment and quote
The company looks at the tree, the drop zone, access for equipment, and nearby targets like the roof, wires and fences. The written quote should say what's included.
- 2
Permits and utilities
If your jurisdiction requires a permit, it's secured first. If the tree is near power lines, the utility may need to make the line safe before anyone climbs.
- 3
Removal
Limbs come off first, then the trunk in sections. Pieces are lowered on ropes (rigging) or lifted out with a crane. Ground crew keep everyone out of the drop zone.
- 4
Cleanup
Brush is chipped, wood is hauled or left as agreed, and the site is raked. The stump is cut low unless grinding is part of the job.
Aging laurel oaks and inland hurricanes
Like Orlando, unincorporated Orange County has many mid-century laurel oaks now decaying and failing. Hurricanes Ian (2022) and Milton (2024) brought trees down well inland on saturated sandy soil. Exempt or not, a decaying laurel oak over the house is worth removing before the next season; see hazardous tree removal in Orlando.
When to stop and call a crew
Safe for a homeowner
- Photograph the tree and anything it's leaning toward. It helps with quotes and insurance.
- Measure around the trunk at chest height (4.5 ft). Dividing by 3.14 gives the diameter many permit rules use.
- Clear cars, furniture and pets away from the tree before the crew arrives.
- Ask each company for its certificate of insurance, sent directly from the insurer.
Leave these to professionals
- Don't cut a tree yourself if it could hit anything on the way down, or if any part is within 10 feet of a power line.
- Don't climb with a chainsaw. Aerial cutting is one of the most dangerous jobs in tree work.
- Don't remove a protected tree without checking local rules. Fines and replanting requirements can be significant.
Lake lots, wetlands and buffers
Orange County is dotted with lakes, and many homes back onto shorelines or wetlands. Wetland buffers are among the areas where specimen and heritage trees can't be removed, and shoreline vegetation often has its own protections. If your lot touches a lake or wetland, ask the Zoning Division Arbor Office before removing trees near the water, even if the house itself qualifies for the single-family exemption.
Lake lots also make access harder: crews may need to bring equipment across lawns to reach the back of the property, so ask how they'll protect the yard.
Services in Orange County
For decaying laurel oaks.
After inland hurricanes.
Thinning live oaks before June.
After removal.
Orlando guidance
Inside Orlando, the city regulates trees 6 inches and larger and treats some species as heritage trees, so its rules differ from the county's.
Orlando's 6-inch rule, heritage trees and laurel oaks.
Orange County tree questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree from my home in unincorporated Orange County?
Not if it's an occupied single-family lot of two acres or less. Larger and non-residential properties need one.
What are specimen and heritage trees in Orange County?
Trees given extra protection under the county code; they can't be removed within setbacks or buffers, including wetland buffers.
What changed in Orange County's tree code in 2024?
Ordinance 2023-35, effective March 15, 2024, amended rules on tree protection and removal, specimen trees and minimum residential lot trees.
What does a tree survey for a county permit include?
All regulated trees 8 inches DBH and greater, plus specimen and heritage trees, surveyed by a professional surveyor.
Do Orlando's tree rules apply in unincorporated Orange County?
No. Orlando's rules apply inside the city; county rules apply in unincorporated areas.
Who can answer questions about a county tree permit?
The Zoning Division Arbor Office at 407-836-5807 or [email protected].
Is a decaying laurel oak over my house in Orange County an emergency?
If it has a crack, a new lean or a large dead limb over the house, treat it as urgent and get it assessed now; otherwise plan removal before hurricane season.
Why do so many Orange County laurel oaks fail in hurricanes?
Many were planted in the mid-20th century and are now old enough to have internal decay, and saturated sandy soil lets them topple.
How long does a county tree removal permit take in Orange County?
It depends on the project; non-exempt properties need a surveyor's tree survey first, so start early. The Arbor Office can give current timelines.
How much does tree removal cost in Orange County?
It depends on size, access on lake and suburban lots and crane needs. See the tree removal cost guide.
Who removes trees near me in Orange County?
Insured local tree services. You can call us to reach an independent provider.
Sources for the local facts on this page
- Orange County FL: Tree removal permit (checked 2026-10-03)
- Orange County FL: Tree removal on developed property (checked 2026-10-03)
- Orange County FL: Ordinance 2023-35 (checked 2026-10-03)
Tree service in Orange County
Call to speak with a local tree-service provider about removal, trimming, stumps or storm damage. Describe the tree and what it's near, and they'll explain the next step.