Pinellas County's draft tree ordinance, which would move tree protections into chapter 58 and revise fees and mitigation rules, prompted a heated discussion among commissioners on Jan. 6 about property rights, administrative burden and public canopy preservation.

Staff described the package as a simplification: landscape requirements have more flexibility, payment-in-lieu fees for tree replacement were capped and reduced in many cases (staff cited reductions of roughly 60% to 80% depending on tree quality) and the permitting process was moved into a standalone chapter to make homeowner guidance clearer. Staff also noted safety exemptions under state statute and an arborist risk-assessment pathway that allow removal of hazardous trees without mitigation.

Several commissioners objected to permit triggers that would require homeowner permits for small trees (examples raised in the discussion included four-inch trunk trees or six-foot palms), calling that scope "government overreach" and saying it was burdensome for residents and staff. One commissioner said they planned to propose exempting single-family homes from chapter 58 or raising the protected-tree size threshold to reduce permitting requirements. Staff said permit turnaround for straightforward homeowner requests can be "within a couple of days" and that the code changes can be monitored and refined after adoption; staff also warned that some substantive ordinance changes may require re-advertising the public hearing.

Why it matters: The ordinance balances competing goals: protecting and preserving canopy (which staff said contributes to property values and energy savings) and reducing administrative barriers for homeowners who face costs or complexity when removing or replacing trees. Several commissioners asked for examples to illustrate the changes and signaled support for a workshop to refine thresholds and exemptions before final action.

Next steps: Staff offered to present before-and-after examples at the next meeting/workshop; commissioners said they may propose amendments (for example, exempting single-family homes or increasing the protected-tree size) and staff cautioned re-advertising may be required if the ordinance boundary changes materially.