Tree Protection & Preservation

• Ordinance #05-06 (Creation of the Tree Advisory Board)

The City of Eustis’ Tree Protection and Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance #92-01) was adopted on February 6, 1992.  The ordinance applies to all property located in the City and is intended to appropriately control the removal and preservation of protected trees.

1.    The Ordinance requires a Tree Removal Permit be obtained before the removal of any protected trees.  Removal of trees without a permit is subject to penalty. 

2.  The Ordinance requires all property owners of new development to preserve and protect all existing Protected Trees, unless specifically exempted.  Removal of trees 24 inch DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) or greater is strongly discouraged.

3.  A Protected Tree is any tree not classified as a Noxious / Exotic species and either: a) has a DBH of six (6) inches or greater; b) is a Specimen or Historic Tree; c) located in a wetland area as determined by the agencies having jurisdiction.

4.  Trees and vegetative ground cover shall be preserved or enhanced in development areas exceeding 10 percent slope, within the 100 year floodplain, or within 30 feet of the ordinary high water line of lakes, rivers or canals.  This 30-foot buffer area shall remain a natural vegetative buffer zone between development areas and the watercourses, except for City approved water related facilities, such as docks, walkovers, ramps, or marinas.

A permit application and tree inventory must be submitted at the time of preliminary site plan or subdivision approval.  Permit applications/ tree inventory for single-family units are submitted with the building permit application.  Applications are available free of charge from the Development Services Division.

The Tree Inventory consists of a drawing showing the location, species, and size of all trees on site indicating which are to be removed.  The drawing shall also include all present and future buildings, property boundaries, the surrounding road system, and a North Arrow.

1.  Street opening

2.  Access to property and use of property

3.  Hazard

4.  Utilities and Drainage

5.  Thinning of Trees

6.  Poor Tree Health

1.  Agricultural use

2.  Tree Farm / Plant Nursery

3.  Emergency Conditions

4.  Dead, diseased or fallen trees

5.  Noxious / Exotic Species

6.  Endangering public / private property

7.  Within approved utility easements

8.  Public Utilities

All properties requesting development approval must meet the minimum Approved Tree requirements based on lot size:

Trees must be a minimum of two and one half (2-½) inches DBH and ten (10) feet tall at time of planting.  At least one tree shall be planted as a street tree a maximum of  ten (10) feet and a minimum of five (5) feet inside the front property line.

When Protected Trees are removed without a permit, replacement at twice the DBH of the removed trees is required. The replacement trees shall be from the Approved Tree List, at least two and a half (2 ½) inches DBH and ten (10) feet tall at time of planting.

DEFINITION OF APPROVED TREES

Trees that are native species or other non-native species of a non-threatening nature to people, plants and plant communities.

Including but not limited to:

Certain plant species that are a threat to people, plants, or plant communities due to their invasive, self-propagating, or poisonous nature.