Overview

Trees provide significant levels of environmental, social and economic benefits to our community. Martin County’s landscape code emphasizes the use of Florida native species because they provide specific benefits to local wildlife and generally require less care and irrigation once established.

The following information is provided as general guidance information to address frequently asked questions. However, the omission of any requirement or procedure shall neither relieve the property owner from complying with the requirement or procedure nor constitute a waiver of the requirement or procedure.

Tree Requirements

Native trees required for the construction of new single-family or duplex homes will be identified on the conditions added to the building permit during review. Existing native trees can be counted toward this requirement if protected during development.

Required trees will be inspected for compliance prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. See Landscaping Requirements for SFR and Duplexes for more information.

Landscape plans, as designed by a professional landscape architect, are required and approved with Development Orders (subdivisions, multi-family projects, commercial/industrial development) or with commercial building permits issued by the County. 

For residential developments, these plans can include street trees to be established in approved subdivisions, trees adjacent to townhomes and condominiums, or sometimes on residential lots in a development.

Martin County is not delegated to regulate mangroves and mangrove trimming per Florida Statutes (Mangrove Trimming & Preservation Act). Please report mangrove violations to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Please contact the local municipal government (Sewall’s Point, Stuart, Indiantown, Ocean Breeze, Jupiter Island) for their specific tree requirements. Martin County’s regulations apply to the unincorporated areas of the county, local municipal requirements will differ.

Tree Removal

Permission is not typically required for the removal of trees on single-family residential lots for detached homes. However, if your property is in a subdivision managed by a Homeowner’s Association, they may have additional restrictions.

Contact env@martin.fl.us if the tree is in a preservation area or easement on your property, or if the tree may be considered a street tree to be protected by a Homeowner’s Association.

The County encourages the removal of invasive vegetation as part of your routine yard maintenance, but does not require such removal on established single-family residential lots for detached homes, unless the trees are located in preservation areas.

The County does not remove trees from private properties. Trees in County-maintained rights-of-ways may be trimmed or removed subject to review by the Public Works Department: Request Tree Removal in Right-of-Ways

CONTACT YOUR HOA. Your HOA is responsible for the removal of trees on common-area properties owned by the HOA. A Tree Removal Consent Form will be required to be submitted by the HOA to the County to document the need for the removal of native trees located in required landscape areas for the subdivision.

CONTACT YOUR HOA. Your HOA is responsible for the removal of exotic trees in preservation area properties owned by the HOA. A Tree Removal Consent Form will be required to be submitted by the HOA to the County for the removal of native trees located in preserve areas where they are documented to pose a threat to permitted structures.

For trees in the County-maintained rights-of-ways, you may Request Tree Removal in Right-of-Ways.

Tree removal on established single-family residential lots is not regulated by Martin County unless such trees are located in preservation areas. Unpermitted land clearing on vacant undeveloped properties can be reported to env@martin.fl.us.

Generally, trees may be trimmed that are growing over or onto your property. It is advisable to speak with your neighbor first and take care to trim in a manner that does not harm the tree. Please refer to the University of Florida IFAS Extension Office's Handbook of Florida Fence and Property Law: Trees and Landowner Responsibility for more information.

Please refer to the University of Florida IFAS Extension Office or the International Society of Arboriculture for this information. See How to Hire a Tree Service.

Tree Care

The University of Florida IFAS Extension Office has publications on this and many other tree related topics: UF/IFAS Extension Martin County 

You may contact the County IFAS office at:

martin@ifas.ufl.edu

(772) 288-5654

2614 SE Dixie Hwy.

Stuart, FL 34996

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For any additional questions or for more information, please contact the Martin County Environmental Division.

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