Tree removal permit guide — Atlanta, GA

The City Code protects most species of trees over 6" DBH measured at 4.5 feet above grade. The ordinance applies to trees on private property within Atlanta city limits. Specific categories within the framework:

Destroyed trees. The default category — any healthy tree over 6" DBH. Removal requires a permit and recompense fee unless an exception applies (dead, hazardous, conflict with construction with proper review).

Specimen trees. Trees of exceptional size, age, or significance receive additional review. The Arborist Division identifies specimen trees individually; some neighborhoods have published specimen-tree lists. Removing a specimen tree typically requires public notice and Tree Conservation Commission review before approval.

Heritage species. Certain species (many native oaks, hickories, and large native deciduous trees) receive additional protection regardless of size. The species-specific protections vary; consult the current ordinance.

Dead, dying, or hazardous trees. Permits still required, but recompense fees are typically waived or reduced when the Arborist Division confirms the tree is genuinely a hazard. Documentation from an ISA-certified arborist (with photos and structural assessment) is the standard supporting evidence.

Construction-tied removals. Tree review is part of the building permit process for additions, ADUs, pool installations, driveway work, and major landscape changes. The Tree Protection Plan (TPP) is required as part of the building permit submittal. Removal without an approved TPP exposes both the homeowner and the contractor to significant penalties.

The standard permit process for a non-construction-tied tree removal:

Step 1: Site assessment. An ISA-certified arborist visits the property, identifies each tree, measures DBH, identifies species, and assesses condition. The output is a written tree-by-tree report. For straightforward removals (clearly hazardous or clearly within homeowner discretion), this can be informal; for borderline cases or specimen trees, a formal Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) report is recommended.

Step 2: Application submission. The application goes to the City of Atlanta Arborist Division (Office of Buildings). Required components: site plan showing tree locations relative to structures and property lines, arborist report identifying each tree, justification for removal (hazard, conflict, dead, etc.), and proposed replacement plan.

Step 3: City review. The Arborist Division reviews the application, may schedule a site visit, and either approves, denies, or requests modifications. Routine removals (clearly hazardous or smaller trees with low impact) typically clear in 2-4 weeks. Removals involving specimen trees or large healthy trees may take 4-8 weeks and require Tree Conservation Commission review.

Step 4: Recompense fee or replacement plan. Approved permits include a recompense (mitigation) requirement — either a per-inch fee paid into the Atlanta Tree Trust Fund, or on-site replacement plantings meeting size and species requirements. The choice depends on lot characteristics; some properties cannot accommodate adequate replacement.

Step 5: Permit issuance and removal. Once the permit is issued and recompense is paid, removal can proceed within the permit validity window (typically 6-12 months). The permit is posted on-site during work; the contractor is responsible for permit compliance.

Step 6: Inspection (some cases). For specimen-tree removals or significant scope, a post-removal inspection may be required to confirm only the permitted trees were removed and that replacement plantings are in place.

The recompense fee structure ties payment to the tree being removed. The exact rate schedule changes occasionally; the Arborist Division page is authoritative.

The formula generally scales with trunk diameter — larger trees cost proportionally more to remove because the canopy and ecological value being lost is larger. Specimen trees and heritage species carry premium fees. Healthy trees cost more than dead or hazardous ones (the latter often qualify for fee waivers with proper documentation).

Fee in lieu vs on-site replacement. Most homeowners can choose between paying the recompense into the city Tree Trust Fund (which funds replanting elsewhere in Atlanta) or planting replacement trees on-site to specified size minimums (commonly 2-3" caliper for hardwoods). The choice often comes down to lot size and homeowner preference.

The practical math: a single 30" DBH oak in Atlanta can carry a recompense of several thousand dollars in fees alone, before contractor fees for the actual removal work. Knowing this in advance is critical for budgeting tree-removal projects.

Any work that requires a building permit (additions, ADUs, pool installations, decks over a certain size, driveway expansions, major grading) triggers Tree Protection Plan (TPP) review. The TPP is submitted with the building permit and reviewed by the Arborist Division as part of the permit process.

The TPP requirements: surveyed site plan showing all trees over 6" DBH, marked for "save" or "remove"; protective fencing plan during construction; root-zone protection details; proposed replacements for any removed trees.

Common issues: contractors who don't coordinate with arborists during initial design produce TPPs that need significant revision. Plan the TPP early — the arborist input on what trees can realistically be saved given construction logistics often shapes the building footprint or driveway location, not the other way around.

The consequences of unpermitted construction-tied removal are severe: stop-work orders on the building project, fines for the unpermitted removal, mandatory replacement plantings, and sometimes denial of certificates of occupancy. The cost of getting it right is far below the cost of getting it wrong.

When the Arborist Division denies a removal permit, homeowners can appeal to the Tree Conservation Commission (TCC). The TCC meets regularly and reviews contested permits.

The appeal process: written appeal filed within the specified window (typically 30 days of denial). Supporting documentation: ISA-certified arborist assessment, structural engineer report if applicable, photographs, proposed alternative solutions. Hearing: appellant presents the case to the commission; the public can comment. Decision: TCC issues a written decision typically within 2-4 weeks of the hearing.

Appeals are most successful when supported by: - Documented tree-risk assessment from an ISA-certified arborist with TRAQ qualification - Structural engineer's report for trees affecting structures - Evidence of consideration of alternatives (heavy pruning, root pruning, cabling) that were ruled out for specific reasons - Replacement plan that exceeds minimum requirements

Appeals are least successful when based primarily on aesthetic preferences, future-construction speculation, or generic risk concerns without specific structural evidence.

For genuinely hazardous trees that cannot wait for the appeal timeline, emergency removal can proceed without prior permit but requires post-action notice to the Arborist Division within 7 days, with full documentation justifying the emergency action.