permits

[treeman82]

I was talking with a kid last night online about a tree job he has. I asked about permits, and the kid didn't know what I was talking about. I figured it might be an interesting poll / thread to see who does have to get permits and who doesn't, or who just flat out doesn't know.

 

[vharrison2]

Right, who flat out doesn't know? Key West, permits for just about breathing treework; Marathon any removal,permit required; Monroe County, Fl., they want to know and they decide; Islamorada, breathing requires a permit,Layton, permit requirements; Department of Environmental Protection...you better know the law.....huge fines. Mitigation...whole nother thread. Here anyways.

 

[begleytree]

Depends, here in town, you need a permit to do any treework per ordanance. Permit costs $25 for the year, and you must provide proof of min 100,000 liability ins and workers comp cert. Any removals between st and sidewalk required prior notification, but the city maintains that the homeowner owns the tree, they just want to update their records. Everywhere else, lay em down.
FWIW, I refused to buy the permit this year. Every jackleg with a saw and pickup is out doing trees since the '03 ice storm, with no ins, WC or permit, so I told them until they want to enforce the ordinance for everyone else, don't expect my $25.
Just removed (finished up) 10 poplars in the city today, never heard a word.
-Ralph

 

[jimmyq]

around here different cities / municipalities have different rules and regs. some need an isa arbo report before a permit will be considered some dont need much. Stihl lots of Saturday takedowns going on tho.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

No permits here. The only regulation we have period is no touching elms from april 01 through october 31. Def don't want to get caught on that one because the fines are huge. AB is one of the few places that has never had a case of Dutch Elm and they want keep it that way. I concure

 

[treeseer]

Few munis here bother to regulate, fewer yet bother to enforce. It's growing tho.

 

[Stumper]

The city "requires" a license for tree operations. Cost is $10 per year but proof of insurance is required along with passing a competency test.(Written and actual pruning). "Permits" are required to work on city trees-(City claims ownership of those within the right of way.) The actual permit is oral and really a matter of calling the City Forester who will give a thumbs up or down on the proposed work on the city tree in front of the citizen's home.

The whole concept of permits to do things on one's own property is fascist. I'm glad that it isn't THAT bad here.

 

[Ekka]

It's like cowboy county over here.

Today I walked into a guys backyard, he was adamant that he wanted this wretched tree out of his yard, just bought the house.

At the back corner of the yard was this unbelievable Jacaranda. Easy 75 years old, over 3' DBH, 70' tall and 70' to 80' spread. It was healthy, lush and beautiful.

I looked over the neighbours fences and all clear, just lawn (nice and green), his clothes line was nowhere near it and it wasn't interfering with anything.

As I stood in his yard I rang the local govt and asked if there was a VPO (vegetation protection order), nope, go for it! I told them I thought their VPO rules sucked and this was a waste and disgrace to cut it down.

Just another tree hater. Why do you want it down? "It's too big" he replied

 

[vharrison2]

Begleytree.....25$ for a blanket removal permit that is good for a year? Wow

 

[begleytree]

Vh2, its a permit to do any treework in the city limits. The city maintains that it owns no trees (liability issue) therefore, they can't tell you you can't remove any.

It's not the price I have a problem with, its enforcement. there are 2 tree cos and 2 landscape cos here who get the permit, and are harrassed if they don't. But you can call in on the pickup guys, and the out of town or out of state tree crews for no permit and you're told its no problem, but we better have ours. I have time stamped pics and statements from various homeowners, the fine for no permit is $50, I'm dying for them to write me a citation. We're going to court if they do. Equal enforcement under the law is all I ask.
-Ralph

 

[vharrison2]

I think what you are talking about is a licence to do work in the City. Here you have to have that, but it doesn't matter if you are removing any tree (homeowner's or the city's) you must get a permit. They are all about protecting the canopy in the city.
We have the hacks in the pickups here as well and I would agree.....Equal enforcement under the law.
Key West thinks and does have total juristiction over every tree down there. Big ol fines for improper pruning.

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

It's like cowboy county over here.

Today I walked into a guys backyard, he was adamant that he wanted this wretched tree out of his yard, just bought the house.

At the back corner of the yard was this unbelievable Jacaranda. Easy 75 years old, over 3' DBH, 70' tall and 70' to 80' spread. It was healthy, lush and beautiful.

I looked over the neighbours fences and all clear, just lawn (nice and green), his clothes line was nowhere near it and it wasn't interfering with anything.

As I stood in his yard I rang the local govt and asked if there was a VPO (vegetation protection order), nope, go for it! I told them I thought their VPO rules sucked and this was a waste and disgrace to cut it down.

Just another tree hater. Why do you want it down? "It's too big" he replied

how very very upsetting

 

[vharrison2]

Getting permits is a pain in the ARS. I am on hold right now with the county, wanting to rip someone a.............but I will contain myself. If the client wants us to pull the permit we charge, because it can be time consuming. I will fill out the paperwork and let them drop it off with no charge. The new girl at the county tells the client he can't drop it off. That is a cricket singing the wrong tune. I have been on hold 10 minutes...but waiting for the right person will be worth it.
Edit: waiting to long on hold going to run down to the county office.

 

[vharrison2]

Back already and like I thought, the new girl did not know what she was talking about. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[Treeman14]

Each jurisdiction has its own specific rules, but in general you do need a permit to remove most trees around here. The City of Tampa is most restrictive. Anything over 5" DBH requires a $33.00 permit. There are exemptions for trees listed as "non-beneficial" (maleluca, monkey puzzle, Brazilian pepper, etc.). A "Grand Tree" (based on a formula that consider trunk circumference, tree height, and canopy spread) removal permit costs $575.00!!! Tampa can do next day permits, Hillsborough County takes 4 to 6 weeks. Go figure.

 

[tomstree]

Around here each town has its own set of rules, but generally it is the homeowner's responsiblility to obtain the permit if necessary. How about any regulations regarding spiking of a tree? Around here, even with the homeowner's permission, you can be fined for using spikes for pruning or trimming. Certain trees I agree totally, such as Norway Maple, Beech, etc. but Locust and Mulberry - is there really any damage?

 

[pbtree]

Only on city parkways in my area...

 

[treeman82]

Who gets fined if the permit is not obtained? Around here it's the homeowner, however one town (that I know of) has made it so that the fine is not only on the homeowner, but the contractor as well.

 

[Mike Barcaskey]

Wow, what has happened to America?!?!

The Founding Fathers are surely rolling over in their graves. Another area that government has no business being in.

A tree vs. The principles of freedom, liberty and personal property rights.
Let's see, which is more important.


"Your Identification Papers please, Comrade!"

 

[Bermie]

For any work in a nature reserve, national park, or any private area zoned woodland, or green space, I need permission, and / or a woodland management plan permit.
For work on private property not zoned as above no permission required.
The good thing is in a small country the planning and conservation people all know each other so we can agree on work standards pretty quick and get on with it!
Did some volunteer work once in a nature reserve where I was assured permission had been obtained, WRONG! Dodged a major bullet as the person in charge took the rap. I will never take someone's word again, either I see the permit numbers posted or I talk to the conservation officer myself!!!