“And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalms 1:3
All of us who love the Atlanta area's greenery are disturbed to see the appearance of the area changing so quickly and dramatically. City and county governments have responded by creating local ordinances which frequently limit the number of trees that homeowners may remove.
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They finished on time for a great price. The work area was so clean, my wife did not know they had been there. - Buckhead |
Permits similar to construction permits must be obtained in most parts of the Atlanta metro area prior to beginning tree removal. Generally, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to do this; practically, the tree service may facilitate the paperwork. Below is a list summarizing local regulations and contacts. This is provided as a convenience and is not warranted as accurate. Please verify with local authority.
Counties:
- Cobb - None.
- DeKalb - Permit if over 5/year (dead or dying tree does not count) and or any specimen tree (>30" DBH overstory tree and >10" DBH understory). Contact India Woodson, 404-371-2685.
- Fulton - Permit for specimen trees only (any tree > 27" DBH). Contact Gene Calloway, 404-730-7800.
Cities:
- Alpharetta - Permit for any tree, dead or alive. Specimen and density are protected. Specimen is 24" DBH (overstory), 30" (pine) and 8" (understory). Density is trees on at least 30% of total plantable area. Additional details and online application. Contact David Shostak, 678-297-6200.
- Atlanta - Permit for any tree, dead or alive with > 6" DBH (> 12" for pines). An online application can be submitted. Physical inspection by city arborist assigned by geography, 404-330-6078. The complete ordinance as well as additional information regarding the appeal process.
- Chamblee - No permit for privately owned 1 or 2 family residence.
- Decatur - Historic districts only. Contact Amanda Thompson, 404-370-4104.
- Doraville - Permit for any tree; obtained from city with cost of $50/location.
- Dunwoody - Application for any removal and letter from certified arborist if >24" DBH (hardwood) and >30" DBH (softwood). Other restrictions on flood plain and remaining density can be found in the actual code (when you get there, go to Chapter 16 and Section II). Contact Howard Koontz, 678-382-6811.
- East Point - Permit for dead/dying/hazardous specimen trees only; obtained from city with $60 fee. Specimen tree is hardwood >24" and pine >27". If not dead/dying/hazardous, residential is permitted up to 4 specimen removals per year with additional $20/tree fee - over 4 requires tree replacement plan. Contact 404-270-7212.
- Marietta - Generally only for developers. "Singular residential lot" are exempt. Details here.
- Milton - Permit required for any "protected tree" (> 15" DBH) or any six trees in one year with exceptions for emergency and trees determined by city arborist to be dead, diseased or hazardous. Additional details. Contact Mark Law, City Arborist, 678-242-2552
- Norcross - Permit for any tree with application signed by certified arborist or forester.
- Roswell - Permit for any specimen tree OR any lot >1 acre. Specimen trees are 24" (hardwood), 30" (pine), 10" (small flowering). Contact Andy Pittner, 770-594-6293.
- Sandy Springs - Permit for any non-dead/dying/hazardous tree >= 18" DBH. Additional details. Contact Michael Barnett, 770-730-5600.
- Smyrna - None if residential/duplex under 2 acres.