Tree Removal Permit Requirements in St. Johns County, FL
St. Johns County Building Department at 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine FL 32084, (904) 827-6800, info@sjcfl.us, online permit portal at sjcfl.us/permit-status/. Issues all building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits for unincorporated St. Johns County, including the former Town of Hastings (ZIP 32145). The Town of Hastings VOLUNTARILY DISSOLVED its municipal charter on March 14, 2017 and is now fully unincorporated St. Johns County; there is no separate Hastings municipal government, and the 'Hastings, FL' USPS designation is purely a postal address. ZIP 32145 covers a rural agricultural area in southern St. Johns County (~25 miles southwest of St. Augustine), historically known as the 'Potato Capital' of Florida. Florida adopted the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code statewide effective December 31, 2023; the 9th Edition (2026) is published but not effective until December 31, 2026. The FBC includes Building, Residential (FBC-R), Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Test Protocols, and references the NEC (2020) for electrical. IECC Climate Zone 2A (hot-humid). Hastings/32145 is INLAND (not in the Wind-Borne Debris Zone, which covers only St. Johns coastal areas within 1 mile of the Atlantic shoreline) per St. Johns County WBDZ map. Florida has STRONG state-level contractor licensing through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) Construction Industry Licensing Board: Certified contractors (statewide) and Registered contractors (county-only). Categories: CGC general, CBC building, CRC residential, CCC commercial, ER residential electrical, EC certified electrical, CFC certified plumbing, CMC certified mechanical/HVAC, CRRC roofing. Owner-builder allowed under FL Statute 489.103(7) for primary residence (cannot sell/lease for 1 year post-completion). Distinctive features: (1) Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) regulated by Florida DEP for any work east of A1A near the Atlantic shoreline (does not apply to inland Hastings); (2) St. Johns River Water Management District permits for water-related work; (3) Most rural Hastings parcels use private well + septic regulated by Florida Department of Health; (4) FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas extensive due to coastal/tidal flooding and hurricane storm surge; check FEMA Flood Map Service Center for parcel; (5) Hurricane storm-surge and tropical-system flooding exposure typical of north Florida; (6) Tomoka River, St. Johns River, Crescent Lake watersheds.
By Joey, Founder · Last verified April 27, 2026 · How we research →
When you need a Tree Removal permit
Removing regulated or protected trees on private property may require a tree removal permit under the county Land Development Code. Heritage and specimen trees (certain size oaks, cypress, magnolias) typically require approval. Contact St. Johns County Building Services at (904) 827-6800 before removal.
Removing a tree in the public right-of-way requires approval from St. Johns County Road & Bridge Department. Call the county at (904) 827-6800 before any work.
Tree Removal Permit Costs: St. Johns County vs. Nearby
| City | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| St. Johns County | N/A |
| Jacksonville | $25 – $400 |
| Miami | $25 – $400 |
| Tampa | $25 – $400 |
Fees shown are estimates based on local building code data. Actual fees may vary based on project scope and valuation. See all St. Johns County permit costs →
Zoning & HOA Considerations
Many cities protect trees above a certain diameter at breast height (DBH), commonly 6", 12", 19", or 20", and some cities protect specific species (oak, sycamore) regardless of size. Portland, Atlanta, Austin, Seattle, and Los Angeles all have significant tree protection rules. Houston and most of Texas have none.
If you live in an HOA community: hOAs commonly regulate tree removal, particularly for front-yard trees and specimen trees. Even where city law permits removal, HOA approval may be required.
Estimated Project Timeline
Here's a typical timeline for a tree removal project:
Timeline is based on the typical about 2 weeks permit processing time. Actual timelines vary by project complexity, completeness of application, and current department workload.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the building department for current Tree Removal permit fee information. Fees typically vary based on project scope and valuation.
It depends on the specifics of your project. Some smaller Tree Removal projects may be exempt from permit requirements, while larger ones typically require a permit. Use our free lookup tool to check your specific situation.
Working without a required permit can result in fines, stop-work orders, being required to remove completed work, and complications when selling your home. It's always best to check first.
Typical approval time for Tree Removal permits is about 1 week. More complex projects may take longer if plan review is required.
If you live in an HOA community, you may need architectural review approval in addition to a building permit. HOA rules and city building codes are separate, you may need to satisfy both. Review your CC&Rs and submit to your HOA's architectural review committee before starting work.
Learn More About Tree Removal Permits
Read our complete guide covering permit requirements, costs, common exemptions, and the application process.
Read Tree Removal Guide →