At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, speakers stressed enforcement of Citrus County’s tree-protection rules and announced a one-time $12,000 fine for unpermitted tree removal. "What I'm gonna do is I am going to assess a fine of $12,000, and, it's a 1 time fine, but that's it," said Speaker 4, who made the assessment announcement.

The county reiterated that it has an existing tree ordinance and that permit requirements apply before developing any vacant property. "It is required to have a permit before you develop any vacant property," Speaker 3 said, adding that cutting down trees or modifying a site without that permit would violate the land development code. Speaker 2 characterized unpermitted removal as "irreparable harm," and said those cases are referred to the special magistrate, which sets fines "based on the size and scope of the work done."

Why this matters: Speakers framed the rule as part of a broader county priority to protect the Nature Coast and preserve tree canopy as Citrus County grows. Officials said that as project values and scrutiny have increased, so have complaints and enforcement activity.

County staff and meeting participants urged property owners and builders to seek guidance before cutting. "Please call before you cut, clear, or modify the site," Speaker 3 said, and provided a contact for the Growth Management and Code Compliance divisions. The transcript lists the Code Compliance division phone number as (352) 527-5350 and notes that staff can direct callers to building-division and land-development experts.

The announced fine is a one-time assessment, and the speaker who announced it noted the decision may be appealed "by law." The meeting emphasized voluntary compliance as the department’s goal, but made clear that complaint-driven enforcement can lead to fines when permits are not obtained.

The discussion closed with a reminder of the local rationale for the rules: preserving trees, green space and canopy helps keep Citrus County cooler compared with more heavily built environments, Speaker 1 said.

Next steps: The county advised residents and developers to contact Growth Management or Code Compliance before beginning clearing or site modification. The announcement included both the fine figure and the reminder that appeals are available under the law.