Do you need a tree removal permit in Orlando, FL?

For some trees. Orlando requires a permit for certain trees or certain sites, not every tree. The City of Orlando requires a tree permit on commercial property. For residential property, no permit is needed if the owner has a report from a TRAQ-certified arborist or a Florida-licensed landscape architect confirming the tree poses a danger. The property must be inside Orlando city limits. Our confidence: medium. Short explanation, not legal advice.

Residential owners do not need a permit if a TRAQ-certified arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect report confirms the tree poses a danger. Florida Statute 163.045 also limits what a city may require on a single-family detached home lot when the owner has signed documentation of an unacceptable risk from an ISA certified arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect.

Apply online at orlando.opencounter.com/permits/tree-removal, or contact trees@orlando.gov or 407-246-2283. The city lists a $25 fee for residential properties and $50 per acre for commercial. Applications take up to three business days to process, then an arborist inspects within three business days. If replacement is required, plant within 60 days and notify the city within 60 days of planting.

HOA rules can be stricter; check yours. Read your HOA covenants or ask the board before work starts.

Your address, the tree species if you know it, the trunk width measured about 4.5 feet above the ground, photos of the whole tree, and whether it is near the street, a sidewalk or a power line. Ask if a permit is needed and how long it takes.

Some do and some do not. Ask before you sign, and get it in writing who applies and who pays the fee. In many places the property owner is the one responsible for following the rules.

No. It is a short, plain summary of public rules with links to the official sources. For a firm answer on your property, ask the city or a local attorney.

We last checked it on 26 October 2026 against the official sources listed on this page. City rules change, so check the official source or call the city before work starts.

Yes, they can. County rules, state rules for things like wetlands or protected species, and utility rules near power lines can apply on top of city rules. If your property is outside city limits, the county rules usually apply instead. Ask the city or county office.

No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies. We do not do tree work and we do not list or rank tree companies. To find a local insured pro, search Google Maps, read their reviews and get two or three written quotes.