Tree Removal permit in Miami Beach, FL
Yes — you need a permit for tree removal work in Miami Beach.
You need a tree work permit before you remove or relocate a tree, unless it is dead, a prohibited species, a palm under 15 feet, or a non-specimen tree under 3 inches in diameter in a single-family yard.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a tree work permit before you remove or relocate… |
| Fee | Tree work permit fees are set by city commission resolution; the code text does not list dollar amounts. |
| Review time | 30 days |
| Code section | Sec. 46-58 |
| Based on | Miami Beach Code of Ordinances, Ch. 46 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Miami Beach building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Miami Beach's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach | — | Yes | You need a tree work permit before you remove or relocate… |
| Miami | 4 mi | Yes | You need a tree removal permit before you take down a tre… |
| Miami Gardens | 11 mi | Yes | You need a tree preservation and protection permit to rem… |
| Doral | 13 mi | Yes | You need a tree removal permit before you cut down any tree. |
| Davie | 20 mi | Yes | A tree removal or relocation permit is required, with som… |
| Plantation | 23 mi | Yes | You need a tree removal permit to take down a tree, and t… |
Other work in Miami Beach
Questions people ask
How much does a tree removal permit cost in Miami Beach?
Tree work permit fees are set by city commission resolution; the code text does not list dollar amounts.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Miami Beach can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.