Updated October 2026
We work across Pinellas County on removals, trimming, palms, mangroves and storm cleanup. In unincorporated Pinellas, the code that took effect in January 2026 protects most trees 4 inches and up, but on homesteaded single-family homes only trees over 24 inches need a permit. Cities such as St. Petersburg and Clearwater keep their own rules.
Working across the bay
Pinellas is the most densely built county in Florida, so tree work here is mostly about access: narrow lots, pool cages, overhead lines and big canopies over small houses. Crane and bucket work is common, and so is careful rigging where nothing below can take a dropped limb.
Crews come over from our Tampa service office, so plan on a scheduled visit for routine work and a same-day dispatch for anything on a house.
Salt air shortens the life of some ornamental trees near the water, and older canopy inland shades houses built close together. Many Pinellas jobs are about keeping a good tree rather than removing it: thinning, deadwood removal and lifting limbs off roofs and pool cages so the tree and the house both come through the next storm.
Pinellas trees and storms
Much of Pinellas sits on a high water table, and heavy storm rain leaves roots with little grip, which is why shallow-rooted trees went over in 2024 while well-anchored live oaks stood. Laurel oaks in older neighborhoods are reaching the age where decay sets in.
Waterfront lots add mangroves, which follow the state trimming law rather than the county tree code, and palms everywhere need regular, gentle cleaning before hurricane season.
The Pinellas County tree code since January 2026
Pinellas County's updated code covers unincorporated Pinellas, Belleair Bluffs and Belleair Shore. Trees 4 inches DBH or larger and palms over 6 feet tall generally need a permit to remove, but on homesteaded, actively occupied single-family homes only trees over 24 inches are protected. Routine pruning needs no permit if it follows ANSI A300, and Palm Harbor falls under these county rules. We confirm the city or county code first.
Most requested in Pinellas County
Cities in Pinellas County
- St. Petersburg
- Clearwater
- Largo
- Palm Harbor
- Hillsborough County
- Pasco County
- Dunedin
- Tarpon Springs
- Pinellas Park
- Seminole
Or see the whole Tampa Bay service area.
Pinellas County tree questions
Yes, a new code took effect on January 23, 2026.
No, the city has its own tree rules.
Only trees larger than 24 inches across.
No, if the pruning follows ANSI A300.
From our Tampa service office, across the bay.
No, they follow the state mangrove trimming law instead.