Magistrate orders property owner to apply for after‑the‑fact tree‑removal permit or face fines

A special magistrate found that a tree removal violation existed and ordered the property owner to apply for an after‑the‑fact permit within 30 days, or face a daily fine of $250.

Inspector Gabriel Morales, City of North Miami, told the hearing the notice of violation dated April 28, 2023, cited tree removal in the rear of the property and that no permit had been applied for. "This violation was given back in 04/28/2023 by inspector Genaro Murillo," Morales said.

Property owner Jonathan Bloom told the magistrate he had removed trees after recurring plumbing problems and that an arborist had confirmed one removed tree was hollow. "It was confirmed that 1 of the trees was actually hollow on the inside," Bloom said, explaining that recurring root intrusions were damaging plumbing lines and that he removed trees based on that assessment.

The magistrate noted the case dated back to 2023 and emphasized that an after‑the‑fact permit process exists to determine whether the removals were justified. "When you apply for the after the fact permit, then they can make the determination that these were trees that needed to be cut down to begin with," the magistrate said.

Neighborhood Services Director Dr. Ramon explained the typical process: a privately hired arborist provides certification if a tree is diseased, which can support a permit application. "If it's diseased, the arborist which you hire ... would be able to provide a certificate that it's diseased and they can move forward," he said.

The magistrate found in favor of the city, ordered Bloom to apply for the after‑the‑fact permit within 30 days and set a daily fine of $250 if the permit application is not filed.

The hearing record shows the owner had been in contact with the city arborist and that the process will determine whether removals were permitted in light of disease or immediate hazard.