Permit Info
Note: The following are brief summaries of the laws in place to protect trees near Atlanta. They may be out of date or lack details to describe your situation. If you know of any corrections or have questions, please call Boutte Tree.
At Boutte Tree, Inc., we are a partner in ensuring that people and trees coexist well in the city. We offer many services to planners and developers to help them incorporate existing trees into their projects. There are many examples of such responsible development, and the end result is always a quieter, cooler, more peaceful environment. We are proud to help in such efforts by doing the legwork to get the permits organized for your tree work as part of our arborist services.
City Permit Information
Contact us at Boutte Tree if you need to secure permits for tree removal. We submit dead or hazardous permit applications online for free for all tree’s with a DBH (diameter at breast height) of 6” or more, on behalf of potential clients. If such a permit is turned down, that means that in the view of the city arborist the tree is not hazardous enough to warrant removal. This decision can be appealed, but usually if you still want to cut the tree it’s best to go through the recompense process, which is described on the website. Please call Boutte Tree, Inc., or the City of Atlanta arborists listed below with additional questions.
Thor Leen, Arborist | 404-865-8489
Gregory Ihle, Arborist | 404-330-6882
Peter Stovall, Arborist | 404-330-6077
Jason Ernest, Arborist | 404-330-6079
Andrew Bedson, Arborist | 404-330-6601
Meghan Chuites, Arborist | 404-865-8892
A permit must be obtained for the removal of any tree. The minimum turn around on Tree Removal Permits in Alpharetta is 14 days.
Permit applications must be submitted through the City of Alpharetta Permitting Portal.
City Arborist David Shostak 678-297-6229
https://permits.alpharetta.ga.us/permits/template/login.aspx
A permit must be obtained for the removal of any tree in Brookhaven. Permit applications must be submitted through the City of Brookhaven Project Portal
City Arborist Vandetta Clark 404-637-0500
In most cases a tree removal permit is not required for residential homes when trees are removed. If the tree(s) are in a stream buffer zone or some other buffer zone required by the Zoning Code a county review and approval is required. Contact the Site Plan and Review Section at 770-528-2147 with any questions.
County Arborist Corey Jennings - 770-499-4461
There is no arborist division, however, a mini action plan is required to be taken to College Park City Hall at 3667 Main St. The cost is $20 for a tree permit.
Dekalb County has a well-designed but complicated tree protection plan which seeks to allow homeowners some flexibility in cutting trees, but imposes strict requirements for new developments. For example, you may cut up to five trees a year on a private plot, as long as they are smaller than 30 inches in diameter, and you may cut as many trees as you like fewer than 8 inches in diameter, unless it is a precursor to earthmoving. In the case of earthmoving, which constitutes new development, a more complicated evaluation takes place, which emphasizes a certain level of tree cover for all new developments. You may not cut specimen trees in Dekalb County without a special permit, and the Dekalb County Department of County Planning and Development usually prefers to conduct an Environmental Plan Review. Our contact for tree removals in unincorporated Dekalb County is Russell Tonning, 404-371-2685, [email protected]
All trees within Dekalb Historic districts need a certificate of appropriateness, as well as a letter from the arborist. Any questions can be directed to David Cullison (404) 371-2247 [email protected]
Duluth values trees and vegetation, and believes that the presence of trees enhances the quality of life of the citizens of Duluth. E-mail the date of removal, DBH of the tree, an arborist letter and site map to our contact in Duluth at the City of Duluth, Eva Kennedy at [email protected]
Private property owners are allowed to remove trees on their property without a permit in Dunwoody, UNLESS the tree removal is part of a larger construction project, or when a healthy tree exists in a city stream buffer, however, they ask that residents fill out a form telling the city about the removal, so that property owners and the city can be aware of the codes and ordinances surrounding tree removal.
Application can be found here:
The removal of five (5) or more non-specimen trees from developed single family detached lot shall require an application and site plan submitted for review and approval by the Department of Planning and Zoning. The site plan shall identify the number and location of non-specimen trees to be removed. A fee will be assessed for the Plan Review.
Applications are to be taken to East Point City Hall by a certified arborist.
No permit is required but notification should be sent by e-mail to Bennet White informing of the trees to be removed. [email protected]
website to Hapeville
http://www.hapeville.org/DocumentCenter/View/1431/2010-08-Tree-Conservation-Ordinance?bidId=
tree removal permit
https://www.hapeville.org/DocumentCenter/View/4769/Tree-Removal-Permit-Application?bidId=
TREES REQUIRING PERMIT TO REMOVE:
• ANY TREES 3” DBH OR GREATER.
• TREES OF ANY SIZE PLANTED AS REQUIRED BY THE CITY
• LANDMARK TREES:
o 27-inch DBH - Oak, Beech, Ash, Blackgum, Sycamore, Hickory, Maple (does not include Silver Maple), Pecan,
Walnut, Magnolia (does not include Bigleaf Magnolia), Persimmon, Sourwood, Cedar, Cypress or Redwood
o 30-inch DBH - Tulip Poplar, Sweet Gum, River Birch, Silver Maple or Pine
o 10-inch DBH- American Holly, Dogwood, Redbud or another genus as determined by the City Arborist such as
Bigleaf magnolia
NOTE:
• Trees less than 3” DBH (diameter at breast height) do not require a permit to remove.
• Up to 5 non-landmark trees on any one residential parcel may be removed each year with a permit but without a
fee.
• No landmark tree may be removed without recompense according to (93-29-12) Chapter 93 – Article 29 (certain
exceptions apply and will be considered on a case by case basis: i.e. an arborist report or photo documentation
showing that a tree is in poor condition, etc.).
• Lots must meet tree density requirements of the ordinance. Replantings may be required.
You must obtain a permit for all trees on a one-acre or greater lot, and for all specimen trees, which are trees over 27″ in diameter.
Contact Andy Pittner 770-594-6293, [email protected]
A permit must be obtained for the removal of any tree. If the canopy coverage is pruned more than 35%, additional planting is necessary. Contact Sandra Dewitt (770-206-1568) to notify her of your intentions. In the case of fallen trees or hazardous trees an attached photo may be acceptable to begin work.
Email Sandra at: [email protected]
If you are cutting a specimen tree or are cutting more than 5 trees then an application must be turned in to Zach Ponds at [email protected]
There is an online application for tree information permit. There is no fee unless cutting in the historic district or if tree is healthy, or if it is the 4th tree being removed within 18 months. The arborist for Decatur is Kay Evanovich (678) 553-6527 [email protected]
Permit application and $25 permit fee to be taken to 3725 Park Ave. Doraville. [email protected]
A tree removal permit is not required for single family residential properties. For questions contact Shelby Little at City Of Marietta at [email protected]
Submit application to [email protected] along with drawing and photos, business license, and proof of insurance.
Submit applications to Tim Lampkin at [email protected] 470-273-3079
A permit is not needed for residential trees.
Submit permit application, copy of driver’s license of each person that will be working on the job, and a business license to Gabrielle Usher at 404-296-6489 ext. 410 [email protected] or to Shawanna Qawiy at 404-296-6489 ext. 421 [email protected]
Submit pictures and site map to
http://www.johnscreekga.gov/Services-Resources/Forms/Tree-Removal-Permission
Submit an email with application package, COI, and business license to Sandra DeWitt at [email protected] 678-242-2552
Submit tree removal permit application, business license, certificate of insurance and a $50 permitting fee to Planning, Building, And Zoning Department at
785 Forest Parkway, Forest Park 30297 404-608-2303