Palm Beach County, FL

Tree removal in Palm Beach County, Florida

Palm Beach County regulates native vegetation removal through its Unified Land Development Code (Article 14.C), mainly for development: schools, utilities, road right-of-way, large agricultural parcels and projects that go through county development review. A homeowner removing a tree from an existing single-family yard generally deals with their city's rules, HOA, or Florida's 163.045 dangerous-tree exemption instead.

Call for tree service

Palm Beach County at a glance

County rules: ULDC Article 14.C Vegetation Preservation and Protection; 14.D invasive non-native removal
Permit triggers: Development review projects, schools, utilities, road ROW, ag parcels over 10 acres
Run by: Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management (ERM), since 1987
Homeowners: Check your city, HOA and Fla. Stat. 163.045

Reviewed and updated October 3, 2026

What the county regulates

Since 1987, Palm Beach County's Environmental Resources Management department (ERM) has regulated native vegetation through the Unified Land Development Code, Article 14.C, Vegetation Preservation and Protection, and Article 14.D, which requires removing prohibited invasive non-native vegetation. The goals are limiting unnecessary removal of native vegetation, encouraging natives in landscapes and eradicating invasives.

Permits from ERM are required for native vegetation removal in projects like new schools, new utility construction, road right-of-way, agriculture on parcels over 10 acres, and projects that go through the county's Development Review Officer process, such as commercial, industrial and planned developments.

Row of palm trees bent hard by tropical-storm winds under a gray sky — Palms bent hard by tropical-storm winds.

What that means for a homeowner

If you live in an existing single-family home and want one tree removed, the county native vegetation permit usually isn't the issue. Your city (West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens and others each have codes), your HOA and any recorded conservation easement are what to check. Gated communities across the county often require architectural review approval before tree work.

For a tree that's dangerous, Florida Statute 163.045 lets owners of single-family homes remove it without a local permit with written documentation from an ISA-certified arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect.

Services in Palm Beach County

Tree Removal
For invasive and storm-weakened trees like Australian pine.
Tree and palm trimming in Miami
Before hurricane season, to ANSI A300 standards.
Tree Risk Assessment
For documentation under Florida's dangerous-tree exemption.
Storm Damage Tree Removal
After hurricanes.

Invasive trees you're encouraged to remove

Article 14.D targets prohibited invasive non-native plants. Species commonly targeted in South Florida include Brazilian pepper, melaleuca and Australian pine (casuarina), which is also notoriously weak in hurricanes. Removing these is often required during development and is generally welcome on residential property.

Hurricanes, sand and shallow roots

Coastal Palm Beach County has sandy soil and high water tables, so large trees can uproot in long-duration hurricane winds. Australian pines and overgrown ficus are frequent failures. Thin dense crowns and remove deadwood before June, and keep palms clean of coconuts and dead fronds near homes and pools.

Removal near pools, docks and screen enclosures

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.

Climber on a rope cutting the top section off a tree trunk against a blue sky — A climber on a rope cuts the top section from a trunk; near buildings, trees come down in pieces like this rather than in one fall.

After a storm: do this, not that

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.

Nearby South Florida guidance

Broward and Miami-Dade, to the south, each run county tree programs that differ from Palm Beach County's.

Fort Lauderdale
Broward County and Fort Lauderdale rules.
Miami
Miami-Dade's Chapter 24 permits.

Palm Beach County tree questions

Do I need a county permit to remove a tree from my Palm Beach County yard?

Usually not from the county for an existing single-family home; county native vegetation permits mainly apply to development projects. Your city, HOA or a conservation easement may still require approval.

What is Article 14.C in Palm Beach County?

The Unified Land Development Code's Vegetation Preservation and Protection rules, enforced by Environmental Resources Management, which regulate native vegetation removal for development projects.

Do I have to remove invasive trees in Palm Beach County?

Article 14.D requires removing prohibited invasive non-native vegetation in certain situations, mainly development. On existing homes, removing species like Brazilian pepper or Australian pine is encouraged.

Are Australian pines dangerous in hurricanes?

They're invasive in Florida and notoriously prone to uprooting and breaking in strong winds, especially near the coast. Large ones near homes are common removal candidates.

Can my HOA stop me from removing a tree in Palm Beach County?

Many HOAs and gated communities require architectural review approval for tree removal. Get approval in writing before scheduling work.

Can I remove a dangerous tree without a permit in Palm Beach County?

On a single-family home lot, yes, with written documentation from an ISA-certified arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect that it poses an unacceptable risk (Fla. Stat. 163.045).

Who handles a tree on a power line in Palm Beach County?

FPL serves most of the county. Stay away, call 911 for sparks or fire, and report it to FPL.

When should I trim trees before hurricane season?

In winter and spring, well before June 1. Once a storm is named, crews are booked and curbside pickup is suspended.

Who removes trees near me in Palm Beach County?

Insured local tree services that know your city's rules. You can call us to reach an independent provider.

Sources for the local facts on this page

Palm Beach County ERM: Native vegetation removal (checked 2026-10-03)
Palm Beach County ERM: Vegetation permit overview (checked 2026-10-03)
Florida Statutes §163.045 (checked 2026-10-03)

Tree service in Palm Beach 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.