Trees are an important part of our landscape. They provide privacy and shade, reduce glare, trap air-borne pollutants and generally make our environment a much more pleasant and healthful place in which to live. Shade trees cool our houses in the summer. In fact, on a hot summer day, a large healthy tree may transpire several hundred gallons of water, providing the combined cooling effect of several room-size air conditioners.  These benefits can mean real cost savings for homeowners and businesses.

In accordance with the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code, in order to offset impacts to natural resources such as trees, a plan is required that describes actions to be taken place to replace those functions and values of the resource as a result of impacting the resource. Essentially, we want to eliminate the negative impacts that would result from the trees being removed.

In accordance with the St. Lucie County Municipal Code, there are multiple ways of addressing tree mitigation for impacted trees:

• Tree Preservation: For every one (1) inch DBH that is preserved, two (2) inches of preservation credit are provided. This is often the most cost effective option. For example, if a five (5) inch slash pine tree is preserved onsite, ten (10) inches of preservation credit will be accounted for towards mitigation.
• Tree Relocation: Trees may be relocated elsewhere on the property or offsite on public property located in St. Lucie (where St. Lucie County deems appropriate).
• Fee-in-lieu: A check or money order is provided to the Environmental Resources Department. The money is then deposited to the SLC Tree Mitigation Fund.
• Habitat set aside: Preservation of twenty-five percent (25%) of total intact native upland habitat onsite can be used to offset tree impacts. Be advised this does not mean gross acreage of the site. This refers to the designated habitat that is onsite.

 

As an alternative option

No. A Vegetation Removal Permit fee is separate from tree mitigation requirements. Tree mitigation must be satisfied prior to issuance of a Vegetation Removal Permit.

Refer to LDC 6.00.05.D for more information.

Mitigation is required for the following:

• Native canopy trees: When meeting the minimum size thresholds, the replacement vegetation shall be calculated at a ratio of two (2) inches D.B.H. replacement per one inch D.B.H. removed (2:1). For example, removal of a twelve-inch (12) Slash Pine results in twenty-four (24) inches required mitigation.

• Palm tree mitigation shall be calculated at a ratio of one palm tree preserved/relocated/planted per one palm tree removed (1:1). Palm trees shall not be counted towards mitigation of non-palm species. For example, removal of one (1) Cabbage Palm with a clear trunk measuring ten (10) feet or greater results in required mitigation of one (1) Cabbage Palm with a clear trunk measuring ten (10) feet or greater.

• The landscape requirements of one native tree per 2,500 square feet of property, up to a maximum of 17 trees, must be met. 

 Mitigation is not required for the following:

• Native canopy trees under mitigation threshold

• Palm trees measuring under 10 ft. in clear trunk height

• Nonnative trees

• Exotic/Invasive trees

• Shrubs or hedge material

Please refer to Permit Applications > Vegetation Removal Application > What should I do if I already removed vegetation?