Tree service in Miami, FL

Do you need a tree permit in Miami?

Usually, yes. The City of Miami's tree chapter (Chapter 17 of the City Code) says no one may remove or relocate a tree on property it covers without first getting a tree permit, unless an exemption applies (City of Miami: tree information). The city's standalone permit page covers removal, relocation, and heavy trimming on private property and in the swale, plus after-the-fact permits (City of Miami: standalone tree permit).

Expect to submit a site sketch or survey showing the trees, a tree disposition plan, and photos. The city notes an arborist report isn't always required up front but is often requested during review. Swale trees between the sidewalk and the street are public trees, so don't let a crew cut one on a handshake.

This page is about the City of Miami. Coral Gables, Miami Beach, and unincorporated Miami-Dade each have their own rules, and many addresses that say "Miami" are in one of those.

Florida's dangerous-tree exemption (F.S. 163.045)

State law overrides city and county tree rules in one situation. Under Florida Statutes § 163.045, a local government may not require a notice, application, permit, fee, mitigation, or replanting to prune, trim, or remove a tree on residential property if the owner has documentation that the tree poses an unacceptable risk to persons or property.

The details matter. The documentation has to be an onsite assessment done under the ISA's Tree Risk Assessment best management practices (second edition, 2017), signed by an ISA Certified Arborist or a Florida-licensed landscape architect. "Unacceptable risk" means removal is the only practical way to bring the risk below moderate. "Residential property" means a single-family detached home actively used as one; duplexes, townhomes, condos, commercial lots, and vacant lots don't qualify. The exemption doesn't apply to mangrove protection rules.

• Get the signed assessment before any cutting, not after.
• Keep a copy. Several cities ask owners to send it in so a removal isn't mistaken for a violation.
• HOA rules are private covenants and aren't covered by the statute.

Trees and problems common in Miami

• Live oak
• Gumbo limbo
• West Indian mahogany
• Royal palm
• Coconut palm
• Black olive
• Strangler fig
• Sea grape

• Shallow rooting: UF/IFAS notes trees growing in shallow soils, such as in Miami-Dade, are more likely to blow over than trees rooted more deeply (UF/IFAS FR173).
• Non-native species with poor hurricane survival in UF/IFAS studies include melaleuca, Australian pine, black olive, and queen palm (UF/IFAS FR175).
• Invasive trees such as Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and earleaf acacia are on the Florida Invasive Species Council list and are common removal jobs.
• Palms: lethal bronzing and Ganoderma butt rot are fatal palm diseases (UF/IFAS PP163, UF/IFAS PP100). Ask for a diagnosis before paying to trim a declining palm.

Hurricane prep and storm cleanup

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 (National Hurricane Center). The best time for structural pruning is before June, not when a storm is in the forecast and every crew is booked.

UF/IFAS research after Hurricane Andrew and later storms found native species such as live oak, gumbo limbo, and sabal palm survived better than many non-natives, and that well-pruned trees fared better than topped ones (UF/IFAS FR175, FR173). Ask for crown cleaning and reduction to ANSI A300 standards, not "hurricane cuts" or lion-tailing.

After a storm, anything touching a power line is FPL's job: stay away and report it. For trees on the house, photograph everything before work starts and call your insurer. Storm debris pickup rules are announced per storm, so check the city's instructions before stacking debris.

Hiring a tree service in Miami

Miami-Dade County requires anyone in the business of landscaping, including tree trimming and tree removal, to hold a County landscaper permit, which in turn requires a current Miami-Dade Local Business Tax Receipt (Miami-Dade County: landscaper permit). Ask to see it, along with the vehicle decal.

Checks that apply anywhere in Florida

• Certificate of insurance for general liability and workers' compensation, sent by the insurer or agent, naming you as certificate holder.
• ISA credential: confirm any claimed Certified Arborist number with the ISA verification tool.
• A written estimate that says who pulls any permit, whether stump grinding and haul-away are included, and how the lawn and driveway will be protected.
• Florida has no state tree-trimmer license, and since July 1, 2025 local governments can no longer require one (UF/IFAS Extension). Training such as ISA certification is the better signal.
• Be wary of large cash deposits or door-to-door offers after a storm. Report suspected storm price gouging to the Florida Attorney General.