You want a tree gone. Maybe it’s dead, maybe it’s leaning, maybe it’s just in the way. Before the saw comes out, one question matters more than the price: does this tree need a permit? This guide to Gainesville & Alachua County Tree Removal Permit Rules shows you how to measure it, classify it and apply.
Short version: inside the City of Gainesville, a single-family lot needs a permit for a living tree 20 inches or larger. Elsewhere in the city the threshold is 8 inches. In unincorporated Alachua County, a single-family lot of one acre or less needs a permit for native trees over 20 inches, and bigger lots need one for trees over 8 inches. The City’s permit is free. The County’s is $90.
Same Tree, Two Rulebooks: Why Your Address Decides the Permit
Do tree removal rules differ inside and outside Gainesville city limits? Yes. Inside the city, the City of Gainesville’s Urban Forestry Program issues permits under its Land Development Code. In unincorporated Alachua County, the County Forester issues them under Chapter 406 of the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC), and the thresholds, fees and tree classes differ.
Gainesville and Alachua County tree removal permit requirements start with a map, not a tape measure. Tree removal laws Gainesville Florida homeowners follow come from the City.
Tree removal laws Alachua County FL owners follow come from the County, and they apply outside city limits. A mailing address that says “Gainesville” doesn’t settle it, because plenty of Gainesville addresses sit in the unincorporated county. Check your parcel on the County’s Map Genius or call Urban Forestry.
City limits vs. unincorporated Alachua County
City limits versus unincorporated Alachua County tree regulations come down to who holds the pen. The City decides inside its boundaries. The County decides outside them.
Gainesville city tree rules versus Alachua County tree rules also differ on fees and thresholds. Gainesville tree removal permit versus Alachua County permit shows the clearest contrast: the City charges nothing, and the County charges $90.
Side-by-side comparison table
This Gainesville and Alachua County tree removal rules comparison summarizes what each authority publishes. For the statewide picture, see our Florida tree permit requirements by city.
Tree Removal Permit Regulations
City of Gainesville vs. Unincorporated Alachua County
| Category | City of Gainesville | Unincorporated Alachua County |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues | Urban Forestry Program | County Forester, Growth Management |
| Single-family lot | Living tree 20″+ (30″ for water oak, laurel oak, sweetgum, slash and loblolly pine); live oak and other High Quality species regulated anywhere on the lot | 1 acre or less: native trees over 20″, laurel and water oaks over 30″, specimen trees |
| Other land uses | 8″ (20″ for slash and loblolly pine); smaller trees if in parking lots, beside streets or in approved landscape plans | Over 1 acre, commercial, institutional, multifamily, HOA: all trees over 8″, plus specimen trees |
| Top tier | Heritage and champion trees | Landmark live oaks (45″+) need County Commission approval |
| Permit fee | Free | $90, multiple trees allowed |
| Phone | (352) 393-8171 | (352) 374-5249 |
Are tree permits different for commercial and residential properties?
Yes. Both the City and the County regulate commercial, multifamily and institutional land more tightly than a typical single-family lot. The City uses an 8-inch threshold there, and the County uses 8 inches for everything beyond small single-family lots.
The towns inside the county
Alachua County also contains incorporated towns, and tree removal permit rules in Newberry, High Springs, Alachua, Archer, Micanopy and Hawthorne come from each town, not from the City of Gainesville or the County. The City of Alachua, for example, has its own tree removal permit application and requires the tree company to hold a current Local Business Tax Receipt. Call the town office before you apply anywhere else. For our Marion County neighbors, see our Ocala and Marion County permit rules.
How to Measure and Classify Your Tree in Five Minutes
To measure your tree for a permit, wrap a tape around the trunk 4½ feet above the ground and divide the circumference by 3.14. That gives the diameter both the City and the County use. Then match the diameter, the species and your land type to the rules below.
Measuring at 4½ feet
How to measure tree diameter for removal permit purposes is simple. Use a soft tape and wrap it level around the trunk, 4½ feet above the ground. The City publishes a “How to Measure Your Tree” graphic, and the County gives circumference equivalents (about 63 inches around equals 20 inches across, and about 25 inches equals 8).
Tree diameter at breast height (DBH) measurement Florida agencies use is always taken at that same height. On a slope, measure from the uphill side. Tree diameter at breast height measurement methods differ slightly for multi-stem trees, so ask the office how to measure those.
Diameter thresholds in plain terms
Gainesville tree diameter permit requirements depend on the lot. The City’s single-family threshold is 20 inches. For commercial, multifamily and planned developments, it’s 8 inches.
Alachua County tree diameter permit requirements work the same way, with one acre as the dividing line. At one acre or less, the single-family threshold is 20 inches for native trees. Above that, and on commercial land, it’s 8 inches.
Classify it: regulated, heritage, champion, landmark
Regulated tree identification and classification is the step most people skip. A regulated tree is any tree that needs a permit to remove, according to the City. Alachua County sorts regulated trees into champion, heritage, landmark live oak, woody 8-inch and specimen classes.
Heritage tree versus regulated tree Alachua County rules: a heritage tree is a native tree 20 inches or larger (30 inches for laurel and water oak), while a regulated tree is any tree the permit table covers. Heritage trees are a subset.
Champion tree versus landmark tree Florida law: a champion tree is the largest of its species in the region. A Landmark Live Oak, in Alachua County, is a live oak 45 inches or larger that rates 4 or above.
City of Gainesville Tree Permit Rules by Land Use
What trees require a permit in Gainesville Florida? On single-family lots, only heritage and champion trees. Elsewhere in the city, any living tree 8 inches or larger. What size tree can I remove without a permit in Gainesville? Under 20 inches on a single-family lot, and under 8 inches on other land uses, with exceptions.
Gainesville tree removal permit rules begin with land use. Gainesville FL tree removal regulations treat a single-family home very differently from a shopping center.
Tree removal permit Gainesville FL applicants need can be free, but the permit still comes first. According to the City’s Urban Forestry Program, permits cost nothing and must be obtained before any work.
Single-family lots: 20 inches and the High Quality list
Gainesville tree removal rules for single family homes apply to existing detached homes on land zoned single-family. Gainesville tree removal permit for detached single family property depends on the tree’s size and species. Under the City’s handout, only Heritage Trees are regulated on these lots.
A Gainesville tree removal permit for 20 inch trees is needed once the tree passes 20 inches across. Water oak, laurel oak, sweetgum, and slash and loblolly pine don’t become heritage trees until 30 inches.
Here’s the part most people miss. Gainesville high quality shade tree regulations regulate certain species anywhere on the lot. The Gainesville protected tree list includes live oak, sand live oak, bluff oak, southern red oak, southern magnolia, longleaf pine and others. Other heritage trees are regulated only in the legal setback.
A Gainesville heritage tree removal permit covers any tree past the heritage size. Gainesville live oak removal permit rules treat a live oak over 20 inches as regulated across your whole lot, and our live oak removal cost guide covers what that means for price.
A Gainesville oak tree removal permit follows the same measurement. Gainesville pine tree removal permit requirements differ by species: longleaf pine is on the High Quality list, while slash and loblolly pine count as heritage at 30 inches on single-family lots.
Commercial, multifamily and planned developments
A Gainesville tree removal permit for commercial property is required for any living tree 8 inches or larger, according to the City. Gainesville tree removal rules for multifamily properties follow the same threshold. Slash and loblolly pine are the exception, at 20 inches.
Planned developments such as Sorrento and Rock Creek fall under the “other land uses” rules too. A Gainesville tree removal permit for 8 inch trees applies there, and trees in parking lots, beside the street or in an approved landscape plan need a permit even under 8 inches. Common areas, townhouses and trees planted to meet earlier mitigation requirements are also covered.
Can I remove an invasive tree without a permit?
Usually, yes. The City says its tree permit rules don’t apply to invasive tree species. Can I remove an invasive tree without a permit in Gainesville? In most cases, yes, but confirm the species first. Gainesville invasive tree removal exemptions depend on the state exotic list. Our guide to invasive tree species in Florida can help you identify yours.
The City code
The Gainesville tree ordinance sits in the City’s Land Development Code. Gainesville Land Development Code Section 30-8.7 tree removal mitigation covers permits and replacement requirements. Where can you find the official tree removal ordinances for Gainesville? In the City’s Code of Ordinances on Municode, with plain-language handouts on the Urban Forestry page.
Gainesville regulated tree removal requirements in the code come with replanting duties. Gainesville tree canopy preservation regulations reflect a city that has held Tree City USA status since 1983.
Alachua County’s Tree Permit Table: One Acre Is the Dividing Line
What trees are protected in Alachua County Florida? Champion trees, heritage native trees, Landmark Live Oaks, woody trees 8 inches or larger and specimen trees. What size tree requires a permit in Alachua County? It depends on land type: over 20 inches on small single-family lots, and over 8 inches on larger or non-single-family land.
Alachua County tree removal rules start with a table, and the dividing line is one acre. Alachua County tree permit requirements are stricter on bigger lots than on small ones.
A tree removal permit Alachua County residents need is issued by the County Forester, and removal in all land uses and zoning districts is prohibited without prior approval, according to the County.
Residential lots of one acre or less
Alachua County tree removal rules for residential properties are lighter on small lots. Alachua County tree removal permit for properties under one acre covers native trees over 20 inches in diameter and specimen trees.
An Alachua County tree removal permit for 20 inch native trees is needed once the trunk passes 20 inches (about 63 inches around). An Alachua County laurel oak removal permit for 30 inch trees applies at 30 inches, or about 95 inches around. Alachua County water oak removal permit requirements are the same.
Lots over one acre, commercial and multifamily
An Alachua County tree removal permit for properties over one acre covers all trees over 8 inches, plus specimen trees. An Alachua County tree removal permit for commercial properties follows the same table. Institutional and multifamily land, and homeowner association land, join them.
An Alachua County tree removal permit for 8 inch trees is needed in all of those categories. Eight inches is about 25 inches around.
Do HOA properties need tree removal permits in Alachua County?
Yes, in many cases. The County’s 8-inch rule covers land held by a homeowners association. An Alachua County tree removal permit for homeowners associations is separate from your own association’s approval. Haile Plantation, a 2,600-household planned community in southwest Gainesville, has two associations, so check yours too. Our Florida HOA tree removal rules cover the usual process.
Heritage, champion, landmark and specimen trees
Alachua County heritage tree regulations define heritage trees as native trees 20 inches or larger, and 30 inches for laurel and water oak. Alachua County champion tree protection covers the largest tree of its species in the region.
Alachua County landmark live oak regulations are the newest rule. Alachua County landmark live oak 45 inch diameter rules apply to live oaks of 45 inches or larger that rate 4 or above. Since the County Commission acted on April 22, 2025, those trees need Commission approval to remove.
An Alachua County heritage tree removal permit is the baseline for anything in these classes. Alachua County regulated tree removal requirements add mitigation. The Alachua County regulated tree list also includes specimen trees, which the County identifies by age, size, species, condition and uniqueness.
Alachua County live oak removal rules hinge on those sizes. Alachua County oak tree protection rules are why a big oak is treated differently from a pine.
The “two-acre exemption” you may have read about
You may see a claim that Alachua County exempts residential lots under two acres. The County’s permit page doesn’t say that. Alachua County tree removal exemption for residential lots under two acres isn’t in the permit table I read. The County’s dividing line is one acre.
ULDC Chapter 406
The Alachua County Unified Land Development Code Section 406 tree protection rules sit in Chapter 406, “Natural and Historic Resources Protections.” The Alachua County tree ordinance is part of the ULDC’s Trees and Native Vegetation Code.
Some websites cite “Alachua County tree permitting Section 406.12,” but the County’s own pages cite Table 406.13.1, Table 406.16.5 and Section 406.16.3. Read Chapter 406 itself before you rely on a section number.
Alachua County native vegetation protection rules go beyond individual trees. Native vegetation preservation regulations are part of the same code. Alachua County invasive tree removal rules aren’t spelled out on the permit page, so ask the Forester about nonnative species.
When You Can Cut Without a Permit: The Real Exemptions
Can I remove a tree in Gainesville without a permit? Yes, in four situations: the tree is under the size threshold, it’s an invasive species, it isn’t regulated on your land type, or state law exempts it. Florida Statute 163.045 exempts hazardous trees on single-family residential property when an arborist documents the risk.
Florida Statute 163.045
The Florida Statute 163.045 tree removal exemption has conditions. It covers “residential property,” meaning a single-family detached building on a lot actively used for single-family purposes. A local government can’t require a notice, application, permit, fee or mitigation if you hold documentation that the tree poses unacceptable risk.
Florida state tree removal law versus local tree ordinances comes down to that statute. When it applies, it overrides the local permit, and no replanting can be required. It binds local governments, not HOAs. Our explainer on Florida Statute 163.045 covers the details.
An arborist report for dangerous tree removal Florida law accepts must come from an ISA-certified arborist or a Florida licensed landscape architect. An ISA certified arborist tree risk assessment Gainesville homeowners can use follows a set method. Florida licensed landscape architect tree risk documentation works as well, according to the statute.
A tree poses unacceptable risk if removal is the only practical way to reduce risk below moderate. Unacceptable tree risk assessment Florida officials accept uses the ISA’s Tree Risk Assessment Best Management Practices (2nd edition, 2017). Arboricultural tree risk assessment procedures rate how likely failure is and what it would hit. Our hazardous tree assessment guide and guide to writing a tree hazard assessment explain what a report should include.
Dead, diseased and hazardous trees
Do I need a permit to cut down a dead tree in Alachua County? The County’s permit page lists no dead-tree exception, so don’t assume one. Call the Forester at 352-374-5249 first. If you’re on a single-family lot and an arborist documents the risk, state law may exempt you.
A tree removal permit for dead trees Gainesville homeowners ask about may not apply. The City’s rules are written for living trees, according to its Urban Forestry page. Confirm your case, and photograph the tree first.
A diseased tree removal permit Gainesville requires depends on size and land type. Ganoderma root rot, a decay fungus common in Florida oaks, can hollow a live oak’s base before the crown shows trouble. Our Ganoderma guide explains the signs.
Dead tree removal rules Alachua County enforces come from the same table as living trees. A hazardous tree removal permit exemption Gainesville recognizes is the state statute. A hazardous tree removal permit exemption Alachua County recognizes is the same statute.
Dangerous tree removal without permit Florida law allows is limited to documented cases. A leaning tree removal permit exemption Florida homeowners seek still needs the report. Tree hazard evaluation and mitigation start with the arborist’s findings. Tree removal permit versus hazardous tree exemption: the permit asks permission, and the exemption relies on documentation.
Trees threatening property
A tree removal permit for trees threatening property isn’t waived just because the tree worries you. Document the threat. A tree removal permit for trees near a house follows the same rules, and so does a tree removal permit for trees near power lines.
Storms and emergencies
After Hurricane Idalia made landfall on August 30, 2023, plenty of Alachua County owners faced fallen trees. A storm damaged tree removal permit Gainesville issues for downed trees isn’t a separate document, as far as we can verify. A third-party summary of the City code reports that emergency removals call for applying the next city work day, which Urban Forestry should confirm.
Emergency tree removal rules Alachua County applies aren’t spelled out on the permit page. A fallen tree removal permit Gainesville requires may not apply if the tree is already down, but call first.
City and County exemptions compared
Gainesville tree removal permit exemptions include invasive species and trees under the size threshold. Alachua County tree removal permit exemptions rely mostly on the statute. Gainesville tree removal exemptions versus county exemptions differ little, except that the City’s rules are written for living trees.
Applying Step by Step: Forms, Portals, Fees and Wait Times
For the City, download the permit form, tape or flag the tree, and email or mail it to Urban Forestry. For the County, apply online through Citizenserve and pay $90. Both start with an inspection.
City of Gainesville
The City of Gainesville tree removal permit application is the “Tree Removal Permit and Replanting Agreement.” You can find the Gainesville tree removal permit form PDF on the City’s Tree Removal Regulations page. Fill in the address, the reason, and confirm the mitigation agreement.
Gainesville tree removal permit online access is limited to the form itself. The City says forms are available online, at its office, or by email, and you can scan and email the completed form to UrbanForestry@cityofgainesville.org or mail it to PO Box 490, Station 41, Gainesville, FL 32627.
Gainesville tree removal permit cost is zero, according to the City. Gainesville tree removal permit processing time starts with an inspection. The City’s infographic says to allow five business days.
Gainesville tree removal permit inspection requires the tree to be taped or flagged, not painted. The inspector returns the application with mitigation requirements.
Alachua County
How do I apply for a tree removal permit in Alachua County? Register and apply through the County’s Citizenserve portal, using the first-time user instructions on the Alachua County Tree Permitting page. Pay $90, and list multiple trees on one permit.
The Alachua County tree removal permit application can also be requested by emailing treepermit@alachuacounty.us. Alachua County online tree permit application is handled through Citizenserve. An Alachua County tree removal permit form is available by email.
The Alachua County tree permit fee is $90. The Alachua County tree permit application process doesn’t publish a processing time, so apply early.
Fees side by side
Gainesville tree permit fees versus Alachua County fees are simple. See our tree removal permit cost guide for other Florida jurisdictions.
Permit Requirements Comparison
City of Gainesville vs. Alachua County tree removal guidelines
| Feature / Requirement | City of Gainesville | Alachua County |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $0 | $90 |
| Multiple trees | List on the same form | Same permit |
| Inspection | About five business days | Not published |
| Mitigation | Replanting or Tree Mitigation Fund | Planting or fee in lieu |
Who to call
For Alachua County tree removal permit contact information, use the Forester at 352-374-5249 or treepermit@alachuacounty.us. Hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30 to 4:30, and Friday 8:30 to 2:00. The County Annex is at 10 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville.
The Gainesville Urban Forestry tree permit office is reached at (352) 393-8171. Its Public Works address, per the City’s form, is 405 NW 39th Avenue. The Alachua County Forester tree permit contact line above is the same number as County Planning and Development.
Replanting, Fees in Lieu and the Real Price of Removal
The permit is cheap, but mitigation isn’t. For a big oak, Alachua County’s fee in lieu of planting runs into the thousands of dollars. Plan for it before you commit to removal. Our Gainesville tree removal cost guide covers the crew side of the bill.
How mitigation works in the City
Gainesville tree removal mitigation requirements depend on size, species, condition, land use and location, according to the City. Do I need to replace a tree after removal in Gainesville? Usually yes, for a regulated tree.
Gainesville tree replacement requirements after removal call for nursery-grown trees 2 inches in diameter (plus or minus half an inch), graded Florida Nursery Grade #1. Tree mitigation planting standards come from the City’s code. Gainesville approved replacement tree species are on the “Gainesville Tree List,” available from Urban Forestry. Tree replacement species selection should favor native canopy trees.
How mitigation works in the County
Alachua County tree mitigation requirements are set tree by tree, based on size and quality. Alachua County tree replacement requirements can be met by planting. Alachua County tree mitigation planting requirements follow ULDC Chapter 406.
Tree replacement ratio for protected trees Alachua County uses climbs with size. By the County’s chart, a 36-inch tree requires 39.5 inches of mitigation, a 45-inch tree requires 63, and a 50-inch tree requires 83.
Planting versus paying
Gainesville tree mitigation fee in lieu of planting goes into the City’s Tree Mitigation Fund. WUFT reported in August 2026 that the fund holds millions of dollars. Alachua County tree mitigation fee in lieu of planting is set by a chart.
Tree mitigation planting versus fee in lieu of planting is a choice between your yard and your wallet. How is tree mitigation calculated in Alachua County? By the tree’s diameter, converted to mitigation inches, then multiplied by the County’s rate.
Alachua County tree mitigation fees use a rate of $130 per mitigation inch, per the County’s chart revised in November 2025.
Tree Mitigation Fee-In-Lieu Schedule
Alachua County ULDC Table 406.13.1
| Tree Diameter | Mitigation Inches | Fee in Lieu |
|---|---|---|
| 8″–19″ | 2 | $260 |
| 20″ | 20 | $2,600 |
| 30″ | 30.5 | $3,965 |
| 36″ | 39.5 | $5,135 |
| 40″ | 47 | $6,110 |
| 45″ | 63 | $8,190 |
| 50″ | 83 | $10,790 |
What a big oak can cost
Tree removal mitigation calculation Gainesville officials use is site-specific. A third-party summary reports that the City allows inch-for-inch replacement or a payment based on appraised value, so confirm with Urban Forestry.
Heritage tree valuation and conservation drive the County’s numbers. A 50-inch oak could carry a $10,790 fee in lieu, before the cost of the crew.
What Happens If You Cut First: Fines, Doubling and Enforcement
Cutting a regulated tree without a permit can double your mitigation bill. Alachua County says unpermitted removals are replaced at up to double the standard rate. A third-party summary of the City code reports the same doubling, plus fines.
Gainesville tree removal penalty without permit comes under the Land Development Code. A third-party summary reports a penalty of up to $500 or 60 days, with each day a separate offense, but we couldn’t confirm it on City pages. Penalty for removing protected trees Gainesville enforces also includes doubled mitigation, reportedly.
Alachua County fines for illegal tree removal start with that doubling. Fine for cutting down a heritage tree Alachua County could impose is set by the ULDC’s enforcement chapter, which covers violations and penalties. Tree removal enforcement Gainesville carries out is handled by the City.
Alachua County unpermitted tree removal consequences also include the replacement tree. A tree removal permit appeal Gainesville might allow isn’t described on the City pages I reviewed. Alachua County tree permit denial appeal rules aren’t published on the permit page either. Ask the office what your options are before you apply.
Pruning, Construction and Development: Where the Rules Reach Next
Permits cover more than removal. Pruning, construction and land clearing all trigger tree rules in Gainesville and Alachua County. Check each before you start work.
Pruning and trimming
Tree pruning regulations Gainesville enforces prohibit practices that contribute to tree hazards or decline, per Section 30-8.9 of the City’s code. On young trees, limb removal shouldn’t leave more than 33 percent of the trunk bare of branches, according to the City.
Tree trimming versus tree removal permit Gainesville requirements differ: pruning follows standards rather than a permit, as far as the City’s pages say. Tree removal permit versus tree pruning permit Gainesville homeowners ask about comes down to that. ANSI A300 pruning standards, which the ISA and utilities follow, are a good benchmark.
Construction and development
Gainesville tree removal permits for development projects come with the building process. A Gainesville construction tree removal permit may require a tree survey and mitigation plan. An Alachua County tree removal permit for development applications is handled during development review.
Alachua County development tree removal approval may require a tree protection plan. Tree preservation plan Gainesville FL projects submit shows which trees stay. Alachua County tree protection plan requirements and Alachua County tree protection during construction rules keep roots and trunks safe. Tree protection during land development is a standard condition.
Our land clearing for construction guide explains the process. Stump work below ground also needs an 811 call, and the City’s form says so. See our Gainesville stump grinding cost guide.
Preservation vs. removal
Tree preservation versus tree removal approval is a real tradeoff. Preservation may cost less than mitigation. Environmental impact review for tree removal applies on larger sites.
Tree canopy conservation and urban forestry management drive these rules. Urban forest canopy retention requirements appear in both codes.
Hiring Help: A Short Checklist Before You Apply
- Decide who files the permit. Why it matters: the owner is ultimately responsible. Who is responsible for the permit, owner or tree company? Ask the crew to confirm in writing.
- Ask for an ISA Certified Arborist. Why it matters: the City recommends one, and only a certified arborist can document risk under Florida Statute 163.045.
- Ask for proof of insurance. Why it matters: general liability and workers’ compensation protect you if something goes wrong. See our guide on hiring a licensed tree contractor in Florida.
- Check how far ahead to apply. Why it matters: the City inspects in about five business days, and the County doesn’t publish a time. Apply weeks ahead, and not during the post-storm rush, as after Hurricane Idalia.
- Check your insurance. Why it matters: does homeowners insurance cover permit fines or mitigation? We found no insurer guidance that says so. Our homeowners insurance and tree removal guide covers what policies usually pay.
Arboriculture regulatory compliance Florida requires is mostly paperwork. A crew that knows the process saves you time. Red flags: a company that says no permit is needed without measuring, one that wants cash only, and one that can’t show insurance.
Gainesville and Alachua County Tree Permit FAQs
It depends on size and land type. On a single-family lot, you need a permit for a living tree 20 inches or larger, and live oak and other High Quality species are regulated anywhere on the lot. On other land uses, the threshold is 8 inches.
Probably, if the tree is regulated. On single-family lots of one acre or less, native trees over 20 inches need a permit. On larger or non-single-family land, trees over 8 inches do. Landmark live oaks need Commission approval.
An 8-inch tree needs a permit only on land other than single-family. A 20-inch tree on a single-family lot is heritage size and needs a permit, except water oak, laurel oak, sweetgum, slash pine and loblolly pine, which are 30 inches. Measure at 4½ feet.
The City’s permit rule is written for living trees. A dead tree may not need one, but confirm with Urban Forestry first. Photograph the tree before cutting it.
Possibly. On single-family residential property, Florida Statute 163.045 bars local governments from requiring a permit if an ISA-certified arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect documents unacceptable risk. Get the report first, and keep it.
Yes, when it applies. It covers single-family detached residential property with documented unacceptable risk. It doesn’t bind HOAs, and it doesn’t cover commercial land.
You need one if you rely on the state exemption. Without it, the local permit rules apply. Even when not required, a report helps if anyone questions the removal.
Yes, for regulated trees. A single-family lot of one acre or less needs a permit for native trees over 20 inches. Larger lots need one for trees over 8 inches.
Inside the city, the City of Gainesville’s Urban Forestry Program issues them. In unincorporated Alachua County, the County Forester in Growth Management does. Incorporated towns have their own offices.
The City’s permit is free. The County charges $90, and you can list multiple trees on one permit. Mitigation costs are separate and can be far higher.
The City’s infographic says to allow five business days for inspection. After that, the application is returned with mitigation requirements. Apply well ahead of your project.
Yes, you can apply online. Register and apply through the County’s Citizenserve portal, following the first-time user instructions on the Tree Permitting page. You can also email treepermit@alachuacounty.us for a form.
In Gainesville, regulated trees usually require replacement or a Tree Mitigation Fund contribution. In Alachua County, mitigation is based on the tree’s diameter, converted to mitigation inches. The fee in lieu is $130 per inch.
Alachua County says the tree is replaced at up to double the standard rate. A third-party summary reports the City doubles mitigation and may fine you. Call the office before you cut.
Yes. Since the County Commission acted on April 22, 2025, Landmark Live Oaks, meaning live oaks 45 inches or larger that rate 4 or above, need Commission approval to remove. Call the Forester at 352-374-5249 before you plan anything.
Conclusion: Gainesville & Alachua County Tree Removal Permit Rules
Use this Gainesville tree removal permit guide and Alachua County tree removal permit guide as a checklist. First, confirm whether you’re in the city or the county. Second, measure at 4½ feet. Third, call Urban Forestry at (352) 393-8171 or the County Forester at 352-374-5249 before you hire anyone.
