Yes, all parcels created after the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan are subject to wetland protection policies established by Manatee County.

Yes, commercial and retail properties are considered common areas and are governed by the County LDC. Therefore, they require a Tree Removal Permit (TRP) for trees included in the original approved landscape plan.

Replacement trees cannot be planted within public or private utilities easements or setbacks. However, existing trees within 25 feet of the right-of-way may be considered as replacements.

Yes, replacement trees must meet specific type and lot size requirements, as outlined in local regulations.

Yes, homeowners can remove street trees if specific conditions for removal are met. Please reference the Residential Street Tree Removal page for additional information.

Yes, with exceptions. Manatee County only has regulation over the required Residential Street Tree. Trees in the side or rear yards of single family properties are not subject to county regulations.

Yes, you can remove or replace trees in your private back or side yard without authorization. However, you cannot remove trees within the approved Greenbelt Buffer or Conservation Areas that are part of common areas managed by the Homeowner Association (HOA). For any questions, you can contact Environmental Field Inspections at (941) 748-4501 Ext 6895.

No, Manatee County does not require a permit to replace required street trees. Simply follow the Replacement Tree Requirements provided in the relevant Land Development Code section.

Yes, EPS staff frequently engage with potential property buyers and sellers to offer information about Manatee County's environmental policies.

Threatened and Endangered Species are regulated by either the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (U.S. F & W S) or the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC).

For existing developments, tree removal and replacement are managed through the Tree Removal Permit process. Staff ensures that selected plant species adhere to the correct USDA cold hardiness zone and follow the principle of right plant-right place.

Waterfront Structures, including boat docks, seawalls, and rip rap, are regulated by Manatee County in accordance with Section 511.17 of the Manatee County Land Development Code.

To apply for a Tree Removal Permit (TRP), you must submit an application through the Online Services Portal.

To report illegal tree removal, you can contact Code Enforcement at (941) 748-3094 or email them at code.enforcement@mymanatee.org.

If you need a dead tree removed from the right-of-way or a tree trimmed due to obstruction, please report the issue to Public Works.

Manatee County adheres to SWFWMD regulations through Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code policies that are implemented by environmental and natural resources staff during the development review process. For well questions, please visit the Natural Resources homepage.

Environmental Planning Staff meets with and assists applicants by recommending suitable plant species for specific planting situations, aiming to minimize conflicts between proposed plantings and improvements.

EPS staff conduct two inspections at each development site: one to verify proper silt fence staking before installation and another after installation to ensure correct placement. Adjustments may be recommended to protect tree root systems or delineate wetland buffers accurately.

The Environmental Planning Section achieves its objectives by thoroughly assessing a project's civil and landscape plan set, along with reviewing applicable environmental reports provided with development projects.

The Environmental Planning Section achieves a balance between growth and development by thoroughly reviewing and addressing all submitted natural resource-related documents throughout the entire project review process. They provide feedback to the Planning Department Case Manager, which is then included in a comprehensive comment report provided to the applicant.

The Environmental Planning Section staff conducts various inspections, including those for exotic and nuisance species removal, silt fence staking and screening, wetland buffer enhancement or wetland mitigation, and tree removal/replacement.

Yes, with few exceptions, an ESCP is required for every development project in accordance with Section 353 of the Land Development Code.

Trees within the Right of Way (ROW) require a ROW Use Permit in addition to the Tree Removal Permit. ROW Use Permit

In addition to reviewing technical documents, the Environmental Planning Section ensures that landscape plans incorporate measures such as tree protection, accurate tree replacement ratios, roadway and perimeter landscape buffers, and landscaping for vehicle use areas.

The Environmental Planning Section also ensures that landscape plans include measures for tree protection, accurate tree replacement ratios, roadway and perimeter landscape buffers, and landscaping for vehicle use areas. Additionally, they monitor and manage residential street tree requirements and conduct inspections for exotic and nuisance species removal, silt fence staking and screening, as well as wetland buffer enhancement or wetland mitigation.

Common areas, such as those found in condos, villas, and manufactured home parks, are properties maintained by shared associations like Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Development Districts (CDDs), or Co-Ops. These areas, which include front entrances, roadway buffers, and greenbelt buffers, are subject to regulation under the Manatee County Land Development Code (LDC).

Silt fencing is typically placed around the perimeter of the construction area to contain sediment. The plan may also include details on dewatering activities, ensuring that there is no off-site sedimentation.

 Additional tree species https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/plant-guide/

Need help choosing a tree species? https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/manatee/

How much space does my shade tree need?

Street trees are trees planted within 25 feet of the right-of-way along the frontage of single-family homes within residential developments approved after October 15, 1990.

Please see Comprehensive Plan Objective 3.3.1 and Land Development Code Section 706.

The primary duties of the EPS involve assessing development proposals to ensure environmental compliance with the Manatee County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. Additionally, EPS staff addresses complaints related to violations of these requirements and conducts inspections to verify if projects adhere to approved plans or if violations have occurred in existing developments.

Canopy Tree (produces one main trunk and normally reaches a height of 30 feet or more upon maturity)

• Min. 10 feet
• 2.5 inch caliper (trunk width)
• 25-50 gallons

Understory Tree (produces single trunk or multiple trunks and normally reaches a height of less than 30 feet upon maturity)

• Min. 6 feet
• 1.5 inch caliper (trunk width)
• 25-30 gallons

Palm Trees

• Two required for each tree removed
• Min. 15 feet
• A maximum of twenty-five (25) percent of all proposed residential street trees may be Palm trees (per LDC Sec. 701.6.1), and a maximum of forty (40) percent of all required trees may be Palm trees (per LDC Sec. 701.8.17)

Corner lots must provide a minimum of two street trees, with one tree required per frontage.

Tree planting requirements vary based on linear ROW frontage:

• 100+ feet of linear right of way (ROW) frontage: one canopy tree for every 50 feet of frontage
• 60-100 feet of linear ROW: one canopy per frontage
• < 60 feet of linear ROW frontage: one smaller maturing, canopy or one understory tree per lot, regardless of the number of street trees removed.

Please note: Tree Species may be subject to Homeowners Association (HOA) Approval. Contact your HOA for final species selection.

Canopy Trees

Requirements: 2 ½ in. caliper, 25-50 gallon, minimum height 10 feet

• Black Gum Tupelo
• Gumbo Limbo
• Hickory
• Live Oak, Highrise Oak, Cathedral Live Oak
• Loblolly Bay
• Longleaf Pine
• Red Maple
• Slash Pine
• Southern Magnolia
• Southern Red Cedar
• Sweetbay Magnolia
• Sweetgum (Rotundiloba-seedless)
• Sycamore
• Winged Elm

Understory Trees

Requirements: 1 ½ in. caliper, 25-30 gallons, minimum height 6 feet

• Crepe Myrtle
• Dahoon Holly
• Eugenia - natives only
• Golden/Yellow Trumpet
• Holly - Eagleston
• Japanese Blueberry
• Japanese Privet (Ligustrum Japonica)
• Little Gem Magnolia
• Loquat
• Podocarpus - tree form only
• Queen’s Crepe Myrtle
• Shady Lady Black Olive
• Walter’s Viburnum - tree form only

Palms

Requirements: Two palms are required to replace one tree. Palms must have a minimum overall height of 15 feet at the time of planting.

• Bismarck Palm
• Canary Island Date Palm
• Royal Palm
• Ribbon Palm
• Royal Palm
• Sabal-Cabbage Palm
• Royal Palm

HELPFUL LINKS

• Additional tree species can be found using FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING™ PLANT GUIDE
• Need help with choosing a tree species? Visit Manatee County UF/IFAS Extension Office
• How much space does my shade tree need?

Staff reviews civil and landscape plans within development project submissions to ensure compliance with regulations regarding accurate tree removal and replacement ratios, roadway landscape buffers, perimeter screening buffers, vehicle use area landscaping, and foundation landscaping requirements as per the Land Development Code.

Manatee County operates under the guidelines set forth in The 1996 Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act (403.9321 - 403.9333 F.S.). However, unlike some other jurisdictions, Manatee County has not been granted delegated authority by the FDEP. Therefore, mangrove areas in the county are regulated similarly to other wetland areas in accordance with LDC Section 706.

The Environmental Planning Section typically reviews documents such as:

• Wetland Delineation Report
• Wetland Mitigation Plan
• Wetland Buffer Enhancement Plan
• Threatened and Endangered Biological Survey Report
• Best Management Practices Plan
• Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
• Well Management Plan

If a street tree is removed without documentation from a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect, it must be replaced in accordance with the Land Development Code within 30 days of removal. Replacement trees must be graded Florida #1 and planted within 25 feet back from the right of way.

If protected species or their nesting, burrowing, or denning sites are discovered at the project site, county staff direct the project's applicant to contact the relevant Federal or State agency for specific instructions, guidelines, or required permits. County staff may also request additional surveys if deemed necessary.

Development Review staff requires the WMP as part of the review process and provides it to Natural Resources Department staff responsible for Well Permitting. They ensure that the wells are properly permitted or have been abandoned or plugged in accordance with SWFWMD requirements.

If your property is subject to an HOA, you should consult them for approval before replacing trees, as they may have specific landscape requirements.

A WMP for each well must include a digital photo of the well with nearby reference structures, GPS coordinates, details about how the well was secured during construction, and its final disposition (e.g., used, capped, or plugged).

Environmental Planning staff mandates that the applicant identify the location of any existing wells on the parcel. If wells are present, a Well Management Plan (WMP) must be submitted.

The cost for a Tree Removal Permit (TRP) is $144.00.

The Environmental Planning Section is dedicated to conserving and protecting the natural resources of the county while also considering the need for growth and development.

The main purpose of the ESCP is to prevent silt or soil from traveling off-site during construction activities.

Tree removal in common areas, commercial properties, or conservation areas requires a Tree Removal Permit (TRP) from Manatee County.

The purpose of this section is to establish standards aimed at safeguarding critical habitat for flora and fauna species of endangered, threatened, or special concern status in the county. It ensures that appropriate measures are taken to protect these habitats, including setting aside land and implementing protective management plans.

Generally, the construction, expansion, or reconstruction of waterfront or erosion control structures requires obtaining an Administrative Permit. Additionally, compliance with the following criteria is necessary: 1. General Permit requirements by the Army Corps of Engineers (COE). 2. General consent criteria of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requirements (§ 403.813(2) F.S.). 3.Separate permits issued by DEP, COE, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District for specific waterfront structures must be obtained before construction commences.