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<\/p>\nPinellas County residents who remove an average-sized tree from their yard must no longer plant 15 others or pay over $7,000, solving what some commissioners believe is a \u201cproperty rights issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
County commissioners unanimously passed several ordinance amendments related to tree removal, protection and planting Tuesday. The goal was to mitigate overly burdensome regulations and simplify a complex \u2013 and costly \u2013 process that often resulted in disputes or unpermitted home improvements.<\/p>\n
Pinellas administrators initially proposed requiring residents who remove a tree with a diameter between 14 and 24 inches to plant four others or contribute $1,200 to a related fund. Commissioner Chris Scherer led the charge to remove those regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are lots of reasons for a homeowner to want to take the tree out of their front or back yard,\u201d Scherer said. \u201cPhilosophically, I have a difficulty accepting the premise that I should have to go to the government to receive a permit to remove a tree that\u2019s on my property.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also believes that residents should not have to hire an arborist, \u201cargue with the county\u201d and prove that a tree is dying. Scherer worked with administrators on a compromise for that \u201cproperty rights issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Removing trees with diameters over 24 inches would still require multiple replants or a contribution to the county\u2019s fund, according to the condition and lot size. However, officials have capped the number of replants at eight and reduced the financial penalty by approximately 75%.<\/p>\n
For example, a homeowner who removed two large trees from a 5,500-square-foot lot previously had to plant 27 others or pay $10,233. Commissioner Kathleen Peters called that an \u201cunreasonable\u201d burden for someone who \u201cwants to put a swing set up.\u201d<\/p>\n
That same homeowner must now complete eight replants or contribute $1,800 to the fund. The county also implemented a $300 flat fee for removing trees with diameters up to 12 inches. Commercial property owners would pay $500.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think our old ordinance impedes on our property rights, and I think it was too overreaching,\u201d Peters said. \u201cI think it was too expensive. So, I like this better to make it more affordable.\u201d<\/p>\n
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A graphic highlighting examples of the changes. Image: County documents.<\/p>\n
Kevin McAndrew, director of building and development review services, said the changes to an \u201coverly complex\u201d code would provide flexibility. The overarching goal is \u201cright tree, right place.\u201d<\/p>\n
McAndrew noted that a \u201cstrong tree canopy<\/a>\u201d increases property values by 10% to 20% and provides environmental benefits. He said 85% of permitted removals in Pinellas stem from home improvements.<\/p>\n However, there is \u201cno practical application\u201d for dozens of shade trees, and the previous payment-in-lieu option was likely \u201cgreater than the cost of the driveway improvement,\u201d McAndrew said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen a homeowner is faced with these kinds of numbers and dollar values, they\u2019re choosing not to even pursue a permit,\u201d he added. \u201cWe do have our two-acre lots in the north portion of the county \u2026 it would require 44 trees. Under this, with the cap, it would be 15 trees.\u201d<\/p>\n Administrators reduced the tree rating system from six to three classifications. McAndrew said that would mitigate frequent disputes between residents, arborists and county staff.<\/p>\n The changes apply to commercial properties, but exclude right-of-ways<\/a>. Commissioners also wanted to ensure that separately governed short-term rentals<\/a> did not receive the residential exemption for removing trees with a diameter smaller than 24 inches.<\/p>\n