Atlanta, Georgia

Find your regulatory agency for Tree Removals: Within city limits: Georgia City Limits Map
Within county limits: Atlanta Counties Map

Tree Removal Permit Required: YES

Key Submission Items:

Tree survey of property (location, species, size, specimen status)
Site plan (basic aerial view or drawing with trees labeled for preservation or removal)
Photos of undesirable tree required

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Submission Portal: https://aca-prod.accela.com/ATLANTA_GA/Default.aspx
City Website: https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/city-planning/office-of-buildings/arborist-division

Quick facts:

All individual trees over 6” DBH require a Removal Permit, unless an Undesirable Species < 12” DBH.
Minimum site canopy requirements must be maintained (130” DBH/acre or 40% site canopy cover).
Special permitting available through the City Arborist for trees within 5ft of the structural foundation of a home (duplexes included).
Posting of preliminary approval on site will be required for opportunity of community appeal. Immediate danger trees require verbal approval, but do not require formal permitting process.
The Atlanta Tree Protection Ordinance seeks to ensure “no net loss of trees” in the city.
Please plant at least one tree for each tree removed. Shade trees are preferred where conditions allow.

Specimen Tree Definition:
Large Hardwoods and Softwoods – greater than 30” DBH in fair or better condition. - Smaller Understory Trees - 10” DBH or greater in fair or better condition. - Rare species, those of exceptional aesthetic quality, and those with historical significance as defined by the Tree Commission, regardless of size.

Dead, Dying Hazardous (DDH) Definition:
‍ A tree posing immediate hazard or danger to a person or property due to imminent failure in part or whole.

‍Undesirable Species List:
Mimosa, Tree of heaven, White mulberry, Paper mulberry, Chinaberry, Princess tree, Carolina cherry laurel, Bradford pear, Leyland cypress.

Contact Atlanta Arborist Division:
‍Contact arborist.dpcd@atlantaga.gov or view individual contacts for Arborist Division staff here.
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