Updated October 2026
Temple Terrace requires a permit to remove trees 12 inches across or larger, and on single-family lots that includes standing dead trees 12 inches or more. Palms are protected once they have 4.5 feet of clear trunk, except queen palms, and tree debris has to be removed within a few business days. We check every tree against the city code before work.
A city of big trees
Temple Terrace sits along the Hillsborough River north of Tampa, with older neighborhoods built among large oaks and pines and houses backing onto the river and the golf course. Mature canopy is part of the city's character, and its tree code reflects that.
Our Tampa service office is a short drive away, so routine work and storm calls are both close.
Because dead trees and palms with tall trunks are covered by the city code here, it is worth checking before any removal, even of a tree that looks finished. We make that check part of every Temple Terrace quote and file what is needed before the crew is booked.
River lots and old canopy
Along the Hillsborough River, swamp bays are being lost to laurel wilt, and big oaks lean out over the water and the yards behind them. Inland streets carry live oaks and laurel oaks that need thinning, deadwood removal and, in time, careful removal.
Palms with tall clear trunks are protected here, so palm removals need the same permit check as hardwoods.
Temple Terrace's tree code
Temple Terrace runs its own tree code separate from Tampa and Hillsborough County. It requires permits for trees 12 inches DBH or larger, includes standing dead trees 12 inches or larger on single-family lots, protects palms once they have 4.5 feet of clear trunk with queen palms exempt, and expects tree debris removed within a few business days. We file what the city needs first.
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Temple Terrace tree questions
On single-family lots, dead trees 12 inches or larger do.
Trees 12 inches across or larger.
Yes, with 4.5 feet of clear trunk, except queen palms.
Within a few business days.
Yes, including leaning oaks over the water.
Palms with 4.5 feet of clear trunk do, except queen palms.