Planning & Development Municipal Services Building, 2nd Floor 100 S. Myrtle Ave. Clearwater, FL 33756 Development Service Center: (727) 562-4567 Code Compliance: (727) 562-4720 View Larger Map Hours of Operation: Development Service Center:   Mon.-Tues. 8:00am-4:30pm   Wed. 8:00am-2:30pm   Thurs.-Fri. 8:00am-4:30pm Code Compliance:   Mon.-Fri. 8:00am-5:00pm

Planning and Development

Tree Protection/Preservation

The City of Clearwater has been named a Tree City USA for 30 years in a row. This designation is given by the National Arbor Day foundation in honor of Clearwater’s commitment to community forestry. Trees are valuable to our community in so many ways. They help improve water quality and decrease flooding from stormwater runoff, lower city temperatures, reduce air pollution, help conserve energy, provide wildlife habitat, and enhance property values and community aesthetics.

Due to the benefits derived from a healthy tree canopy, the Clearwater Community Development Code establishes tree protection standards that promote the preservation of and expansion of tree canopies. The City requires a certain number of trees and a variety of tree species to be maintained on a site to achieve these goals. A permit is required to remove any protected tree, which is any nonhazardous tree four inches DBH (diameter breast height) or greater or any palm with a 10 foot clearance and straight trunk. A tree permit is required to remove any protected tree.

If you have any questions about tree permits please call 727-562-4746.