A neighbor swears the City will fine you $500 for cutting down your dead oak. Another says Collier County wants a permit for every palm. For a typical single-family lot, both are wrong. The real Naples & Collier County Tree Removal Permit Rules are narrower than most people assume, and the exceptions are where the fines come from. This guide separates what Florida, the City of Naples, Collier County and your HOA each require. It is general guidance based on public statutes and ordinances as of the Last Updated date, not legal advice, so confirm details with the permitting office, your HOA or an attorney before you act.
Whose Rules Apply to Your Tree? The 30-Second Answer for Naples and Collier County
Usually, no permit is needed. A homeowner removing a tree on a single-family lot, inside the City of Naples or in unincorporated Collier County, generally needs no government permit. Permits apply to city-owned trees, commercial or common-area landscaping, certain native vegetation, and anything your HOA controls.
Start with who owns the tree. Inside city limits, Chapter 38 of the City of Naples Code covers “city trees,” meaning trees in public right-of-way, parks, or property the City has accepted. Outside city limits, the Collier County Land Development Code (LDC) governs.
Statewide rules: Florida tree permit requirements by city.
What the Rules Actually Say: State, City of Naples, and Collier County
Three layers of government apply. Florida Statute §163.045 limits what local governments can demand for hazardous trees on single-family lots. The City of Naples regulates city-owned trees under Chapter 38. Collier County regulates landscaping and native vegetation in unincorporated areas under its LDC.
Florida law (§163.045)
Under Fla. Stat. §163.045, a Florida local government cannot require a permit, fee, notice or mitigation to remove a tree on single-family residential property if the owner holds documentation of unacceptable risk. Replanting cannot be required either. The wording has not changed since 2022; our §163.045 explainer covers the full text.
City of Naples Chapter 38
Chapter 38 of the City of Naples Code (Ord. 17-13971, last amended March 4, 2020) mainly protects city-owned trees and manages diseased-tree outbreaks. It contains no permit for removing a tree on a private lot. The City’s Community Services Department enforces it.
Collier County Land Development Code
Collier County’s LDC covers vegetation removal in §3.05.00 through §3.05.08, minimum landscaping in §4.06.05, and permit procedures in §10.02.06. Administrative Code Chapter 4 sets out the two permits. The Growth Management Community Development Department (GMCD) takes applications, and Environmental Planning reviews native vegetation.
Tree Removal Permit Exemptions in Naples and Collier County: Who Needs a Permit and Who Doesn’t
Most single-family lot owners are exempt in both jurisdictions. A permit is needed for city trees in Naples, commercial or common-area landscaping in Collier County, and native vegetation clearing outside the County’s exemption. Each exemption has a specific qualifying condition.
Tree Removal & Permit Regulations
City of Naples vs. Collier County Requirements
| Situation | City of Naples | Collier County | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your tree, single-family lot | No permit | No cultivated permit; minimum landscaping stays | Ch. 38; County form |
| Commercial or common-area landscaping | Not covered unless a city tree | Cultivated permit | Admin. Code ch. 4 E.3 |
| Prohibited exotics | Category 1 invasives exempt | Exempt unless counted toward landscaping | §38-103; County form |
| Hazardous tree, signed assessment | No local permit | No local permit | Fla. Stat. §163.045 |
| Native vegetation clearing | Not applicable | Vegetation permit unless exempt | LDC 3.05.02.F.1 |
Single-family homes
No permit is needed to remove a tree on your own single-family lot in either jurisdiction. Chapter 38 has no private-lot removal permit, and Collier County’s Cultivated Tree Removal Permit exempts single-family home sites. One condition remains: LDC 4.06.05 minimum landscaping must be maintained, one canopy tree per 3,000 square feet of pervious area, per the County’s brochure.
Commercial, multifamily, and common property
Yes, in unincorporated Collier County. The Cultivated Tree Removal Permit covers trees and palms installed for landscaping on commercial and industrial developments and on common properties within residential developments outside preserves. The limit is 10 trees per 5 years, the fee is $250, and an HOA approval letter is required.
A condo or apartment community’s shared grounds typically count as common property, so confirm with GMCD.
Native vegetation and specimen trees
Native trees can need a Vegetation Removal Permit in Collier County. Native vegetation means all woody non-exotic trees, shrubs and groundcover. Under LDC 3.05.02.F.1, a single-family lot clearing one acre or less needs no permit for protected vegetation other than a “specimen tree,” if the home exists or a building permit has issued and needed environmental permits are in hand.
That exemption excludes undeveloped coastal barrier islands and the ST, ACSC-ST and RFMU overlays. Collier’s “specimen tree” definition sits in the LDC, so confirm with County Environmental Planning before removing a large native tree.
Preserves, wetlands, and wildlife
Preserve trees fall outside the cultivated permit and need separate County review. The permit form excludes preserves and asks whether endangered wildlife habitat is present. Wetland work can also require approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Prohibited exotic trees (12 species)
Removing prohibited exotics generally needs no cultivated permit in Collier County, with two limits noted below. The 12 species are earleaf acacia, Australian pine, melaleuca, catclaw mimosa, downy rosemyrtle, Brazilian pepper, Java plum, woman’s tongue, climbing fern, air potato, lather leaf and carrotwood.
The exemption fails if the tree counts toward required landscaping. The County also requires removal before a certificate of occupancy on new structures or additions.
Hazardous, dead, and diseased trees (§163.045 route)
On a single-family detached lot, Fla. Stat. §163.045 lets you skip local permits when you hold a signed onsite assessment, following the ISA Tree Risk Assessment standard, from an ISA-certified arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect. It must find an unacceptable risk, meaning removal is the only practical way to lower risk below moderate.
The statute asks for documented risk, not just a dead tree, and it does not reach condos or commercial property. Our hazardous tree assessment guide shows what that review covers.
Storm and emergency removals (City §38-107, city trees only)
Emergency authority in Naples covers city trees only. Under City of Naples Code §38-107, the mayor, vice mayor or city manager can authorize emergency removal of a city tree. Your own single-family lot never needed a City permit, so storm cleanup there needs none.
Palms and oaks: species myths
Neither Chapter 38 nor Collier County’s rules protect a palm or live oak on a private single-family lot because of its species. Some tree-company lists call royal palms and live oaks “protected,” which contradicts both. The real triggers are ownership and location: city trees, commercial landscaping, HOA rules, and native vegetation on larger parcels.
Trees near roads, sidewalks, power lines, and structures
A tree in a Naples right-of-way is a city tree, so removal needs a City Tree Alteration Permit. Utilities typically hold easement rights to trim near their lines, so never prune near energized wires yourself. Whoever owns the ground under the trunk decides which office to call.
What Happens If You Remove a Tree Without Permission
Penalties apply only where a permit was required. Removing a city tree in Naples without permission can bring a stop-work order, replacement and fines. Collier County enforces its own vegetation rules separately, and your HOA can add private fines under its governing documents.
Under City of Naples Code §38-123, the City can issue a stop-work order, require inch-for-inch replacement, and fine $500 per tree plus a $100 stop-work fee. Each tree and day is a separate offense, and willful violations can be prosecuted.
In unincorporated Collier County, LDC 3.05.00 makes unpermitted removal of protected vegetation unlawful. The Code Enforcement Board or a Special Magistrate hears cases under the County’s code enforcement ordinance (No. 2007-44, as amended). Fla. Stat. §162.09 caps fines at $250 per day for a first violation, $500 for a repeat and $5,000 for an irreparable one. Confirm Collier’s current schedule with Code Enforcement.
How to Get Permission: Step by Step
Apply before you cut, and wait for written approval. Naples uses a City Tree Alteration Permit for city trees, and Collier County uses a Cultivated or Vegetation Removal Permit for landscaping and native vegetation.
- Confirm whether the tree is a city tree, landscaping or native vegetation.
- Check the exemptions above, including §163.045.
- Choose the permit and assemble the documents.
- Apply through the correct portal and pay the fee.
- Wait for approval, then plan any replacement.
City Tree Alteration Permit
For a city tree, apply through the City’s CityView portal with the Community Services Department (280 Riverside Circle, (239) 213-7120). The department sets the non-refundable fee and does not publish it. Under §38-105, approval depends on standards such as safety hazard, invasive species, disease or storm weakening.
The ordinance states a 60-day approval window while the City’s form says six months, so ask which applies. Denials go to the Tree Board, then City Council within 30 days under §38-121.
County Cultivated Tree Removal Permit
Apply through GMCD’s CityView portal (cvportal.collier.gov/cityviewweb); the office is at 2800 N Horseshoe Dr, Naples, FL 34104, (239) 252-2400. The fee is $250 and non-refundable. Reviewers weigh whether the tree is a safety hazard pruning cannot fix or stands too close to other trees. The 12/31/2025 permit form states no review time, so ask GMCD.
Vegetation Removal Permit
Collier County’s Vegetation Removal Permit, under LDC 3.05.01 through 3.05.05, covers native vegetation clearing. The fee is $250 for up to the first acre plus $50 per additional acre. The County’s Q&A describes staff review of up to 20 working days, through the same GMCD portal.
Documents checklist
These are the documents Collier County’s cultivated permit asks for, and similar items usually support City applications. Requirements vary by permit type, so confirm the current checklist with the issuing office before you apply.
- Application, checklist and addressing checklist
- Affidavit of authorization and ownership disclosure
- Deed or other proof of ownership
- HOA approval letter
- Photographs, with trees marked by ribbon or paint
- Site plan or aerial (tree survey if requested)
- Arborist or landscape architect recommendation, if available
After removal: replacement and minimum landscaping
Replacement depends on who regulates the tree. Collier County requires LDC 4.06.05 minimum landscaping to be maintained, described as one canopy tree per 3,000 square feet of pervious area on single-family lots. City enforcement under §38-123 can require inch-for-inch replacement. Fla. Stat. §163.045 bars local governments from requiring replanting after a documented-risk removal.
State Law vs. Naples City, Collier County, and HOA Rules: Naples City Rules vs. Collier County Tree Rules, Which Wins?
State law wins over local rules only where §163.045 applies, and nothing in it overrides your HOA. The City of Naples and Collier County do not overlap: city limits decide which applies. Inside the City, Chapter 38 governs. Outside it, the County’s LDC does.
Hierarchy
Fla. Stat. §163.045 limits local governments, but only for single-family detached lots backed by a signed risk assessment. Outside that narrow situation, the City and County rules above apply as written. State law does not reach private deed restrictions, such as HOA covenants.
HOA
Your HOA covenants are a private contract, and Fla. Stat. §163.045 limits only local governments. Many communities require architectural approval before any removal, and a County permit may require your HOA’s approval letter. See our Florida HOA tree removal rules guide.
Is there a “cultivated tree removal permit” in the City?
No. The Cultivated Tree Removal Permit is a Collier County permit for landscaping in commercial and common-area settings. The City of Naples uses its Tree Alteration Permit instead, and that permit applies only to city trees under Chapter 38, not to private lots.
Marco Island and Everglades City
Marco Island and Everglades City run their own codes, and neither follows Naples or Collier County forms. Marco Island has a separate vegetation trimming and removal permit. Check with each city’s permitting office before you cut.
Building vs. clearing vs. tree permit
A building permit, a clearing permit and a tree permit are different approvals. A building permit does not by itself authorize removing protected vegetation. Collier’s LDC 3.05.02.F.1 ties its clearing allowance to an existing home or an issued building permit, so ask staff how your approvals fit together.
Emergency vs. standard permit
An emergency removal under City §38-107 is an official authorization for city trees, not a shortcut for private owners. A standard permit goes through the portal and staff review first. On your own single-family lot, neither is usually needed, though your HOA may differ.
Recent Changes You Should Know About (2024–2026)
Little has changed. Fla. Stat. §163.045 is unchanged since 2022, and repeal bill SB 122 died March 8, 2024. Chapter 38 was last amended March 4, 2020. The County’s cultivated permit form is dated 12/31/2025 and its vegetation affidavit 4/8/2025. Naples now uses CityView for tree permits.
When to Call a Professional
Call an ISA-certified arborist for the signed risk assessment §163.045 requires, or for permit documentation. A licensed, insured tree service then handles the removal; the paperwork comes first. For Naples pricing, see tree removal cost in Naples, FL.
Naples & Collier County Tree Permit FAQs
Usually no. The City of Naples regulates city trees under Chapter 38, and Collier County’s cultivated permit exempts single-family home sites. Your HOA may still require approval, and undeveloped lots can need a County Vegetation Removal Permit.
On a single-family lot, often yes. Fla. Stat. §163.045 also bars local permits for hazardous trees backed by a signed assessment. City trees, commercial landscaping and some native vegetation still need approval.
In Naples, City Code §38-123 allows a $500 fine per tree, a $100 stop-work fee and inch-for-inch replacement. In unincorporated Collier County, the Code Enforcement Board or a Special Magistrate decides within Fla. Stat. §162.09 limits. HOAs may add fines.
Collier County’s cultivated permit costs $250, and its vegetation permit costs $250 for the first acre plus $50 per added acre. The City of Naples calculates its fee by department and publishes no amount. Confirm fees before applying.
Collier County’s Q&A describes up to 20 working days of staff review for vegetation permits. The cultivated form states no timeline, and the City’s ordinance says 60 days while its form says six months. Ask the issuing office.
No, they stack. State, City and County rules set the legal minimum, and your HOA’s covenants add private requirements. Fla. Stat. §163.045 limits local governments only.
Not much. Fla. Stat. §163.045 has not changed since 2022, and repeal bill SB 122 died March 8, 2024. The County refreshed its permit forms in 2025.
City limits decide. An address inside the City of Naples falls under Chapter 38, and one in unincorporated Collier County falls under the LDC. Marco Island and Everglades City have their own codes.
Sometimes. Coverage often applies when a tree falls on a covered structure, but it varies by insurer and cause. Our guide on whether homeowners insurance covers tree removal explains the details.
Cost depends on the tree’s size, access and condition, as our Naples cost page explains. For permit paperwork, start with an ISA-certified arborist. Then hire a licensed, insured tree service.
Conclusion: Naples & Collier County Tree Removal Permit Rules
Most single-family homeowners need no government permit to remove a tree in Naples or Collier County. The exceptions are city trees, commercial or common-area landscaping, certain native vegetation and anything your HOA controls. Check ownership and jurisdiction, and get approval first when a permit applies.
