Tree Removal permit in Miami, FL
Yes — you need a permit for tree removal work in Miami.
You need a tree removal permit before you take down a tree on private property. The city looks at whether the tree stands in the buildable area and blocks a use you are allowed, whether it is in danger of falling or hurts a structure, whether it is dead, fatally diseased, or high-risk, and whether it is a prohibited species. Trees in the front 15-foot setback do not count as being in the buildable area. Once the permit is issued you must keep it posted until the work is done, you may have to plant replacement trees, and you must schedule a final inspection within six months of finishing.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a tree removal permit before you take down a tre… |
| Fee | Tree permit fees follow the city's building permit fee schedule; the code gives no dollar amount. Government agencies removing trees in areas dedicated to public use may be excused from the fees by city commission resolution. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 17-45; criteria in Sec. 17-34 and Sec. 17-5; fees in Sec. 17-43(g) |
| Based on | City of Miami Code ch. 17 (environmental preservation) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Miami 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.
If you skip it
Each tree removed without a tree removal permit counts as a separate violation, with its own fine and its own replacement tree requirement.
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 | — | Yes | You need a tree removal permit before you take down a tre… |
| Miami Beach | 4 mi | Yes | You need a tree work permit before you remove or relocate… |
| Doral | 10 mi | Yes | You need a tree removal permit before you cut down any tree. |
| Miami Gardens | 12 mi | Yes | You need a tree preservation and protection permit to rem… |
| Davie | 22 mi | Yes | A tree removal or relocation permit is required, with som… |
| Plantation | 24 mi | Yes | You need a tree removal permit to take down a tree, and t… |
Other work in Miami
Questions people ask
How much does a tree removal permit cost in Miami?
Tree permit fees follow the city's building permit fee schedule; the code gives no dollar amount. Government agencies removing trees in areas dedicated to public use may be excused from the fees by city commission resolution.. 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 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.