Use an Independent Expert for Tree Removals

Winter Park has a complicated and penal tree ordinance because of extreme viewpoints of city staff, board members, and commission members. You don’t need to get caught up in this regulatory tree madness.

All Winter Park residential property owners need to be aware that state law supersedes city code when it comes to tree removals. Under state law, a residential property owner can prune, trim, or remove a tree without a city permit and without penalty or tree replacement if the property owner possesses documentation from an arborist certified by the ISA or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree poses an unacceptable risk to persons or property.

If you don’t get the documentation required by state law you are subject to our ridiculously complicated and penal city ordinance, a revised version of which is now coming before the city commission for approval. This ordinance offers absurdly detailed rules and penalties while hiding the existence of the state law you could otherwise avail yourself of. This revised tree ordinance can even fine you if you use state law to remove a tree but fail to file the documentation with the city within 10 days of removal.

Don’t call city staff if you have a tree removal question. Call an independent certified arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect first.