On This Page (Table of Contents)
First: Is Your Property Inside the City of Port St. Lucie?
Do not assume that a Port St. Lucie mailing address automatically tells you which rules apply.
When jurisdiction is uncertain, confirm the parcel through the appropriate official property/jurisdiction resources before relying on City or County requirements.
City of Port St. Lucie Tree Protection Rules
The City adopted its Tree Protection and Preservation Ordinance to protect qualifying mature trees.
Current City guidance describes protected trees generally as trees measuring 12 inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH) and native palms with a clear trunk of at least 10 feet.
Removal of protected trees can require a Tree Removal Permit from Planning and Zoning.
Important Exception for Platted Single-Family Lots
The City states that platted single-family lots are exempt from the tree-preservation requirements, provided the applicable minimum landscaping requirements are met and maintained.
This is why a blanket statement such as “every tree over 12 inches needs a permit in Port St. Lucie” would be inaccurate.
Commercial Properties and PUDs
Commercial properties, public areas and Planned Unit Developments can be subject to different requirements.
Property owners should confirm the applicable PUD and Planning & Zoning requirements before removal.
Florida's Hazardous-Tree Exception
Florida Statute §163.045 limits local-government permit, fee and mitigation requirements in a specific circumstance.
On qualifying residential property, if an ISA Certified Arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect performs the required onsite assessment and documents that the tree poses an unacceptable risk — with removal being the only practical way to reduce that risk below the statutory threshold — the local government cannot require the normal notice, permit, fee or mitigation for that pruning, trimming or removal.
The exemption depends on meeting the statute's conditions. It is not a blanket “dangerous tree = no permit” rule.
What if the Property Is in Unincorporated St. Lucie County?
St. Lucie County has a separate vegetation-removal system for unincorporated areas.
Vegetation removal can require a Notice of Vegetation Removal before work begins, subject to exemptions and mitigation rules.
County contractor requirements can also apply to tree-removal and land-clearing work.
Does Routine Tree Trimming Require the County Permit?
In unincorporated St. Lucie County, ordinary pruning or trimming that is not intended to result in the death of the vegetation does not require approval under the Notice of Vegetation Removal rules.
What Is Tree Mitigation?
Where St. Lucie County mitigation applies, it is separate from the permit fee.
The County publishes mitigation formulas based on the type and size of vegetation removed.
What Happens if a Protected Tree Is Removed Without Approval?
Unauthorized removal of a protected tree can result in enforcement, replacement requirements and additional fees.
Because requirements differ by property and jurisdiction, confirm the rule before cutting rather than trying to fix the permit issue afterward.
Official Sources
This guide summarizes publicly available rules for general informational purposes and is not legal advice or a permit determination for a specific property. Regulations can change. Confirm current requirements with the applicable local authority before removal.