ANY LAWS AGAINST TREE REMOVAL?

Are there any state or county laws that govern tree removal? What must an association do if it wishes to remove trees? A friend in Miami was fined and forced to replace a single tree he had removed from his front yard. Are we subject to the same laws in Palm Beach County?
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Your BLOGMEISTER responds:

Everything you want to know about Trees in Palm Beach County, is to be found in the Uniform Land Development Code (ULDC).

The following extract addresses Replacement and Removal, the County, and the State of Florida are very serious about trees. All references in the following may be found in the document by entering it in the search box at the top of the Reference:
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REF:

http://discover.pbcgov.org/pzb/zoning/ULDCPDF/Articles/Article7.pdf#search=Article7

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b. Trees
Trees shall be planted or preserved in accordance with the requirements of Table 7.C.3, Minimum Tier Requirements, and Art. 7.D.2, Trees. Trees shall be native or drought tolerant.
[Ord. 2005-002] [Ord. 2008-037]
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c. Existing Trees
Preservation of existing native trees is encouraged and credit shall be given towards the above requirements. If existing native trees are removed, they shall be replaced in accordance with the standards in Table 7.D.2.D, Tree Credit and Replacement, or Art. 7.E.5.G.5.b, Trees, whichever is greater. The size of replacement trees shall be in accordance with Art. Art. 7.D.2, Trees.
[Ord. 2005-002] [Ord. 2008-037]
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d. Prohibited Plant Species
Existing prohibited plant species must be removed and trees replaced on a one-to-one basis with a native tree. Replacement trees for removed prohibited plant species shall be consistent with the interior landscape requirements of Art. 7.D.2, Trees.
[Ord. 2005-002] [Ord. 2008-037]
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e. Removal
Removal shall be consistent with the provisions of Art. 14.C, Vegetation Preservation and
Protection.
[Ord. 2005-002] [Ord. 2008-037]


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I hope this is helpful.

Dave Israel
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