Frequently Asked Questions

If the work requires a permit per the Florida Building Code or the City’s Land Development Code, you are required to obtain a permit. If the work you are doing to your home requires it, you need to submit proper plans for review and have the required inspections performed while working on your home.

State law requires construction to be done by licensed contractors, but under exemption to the law you allowed to act as your own contractor with certain restrictions. You may act as an owner-builder provided that you are building or improving a one- or two-family home, a farm outbuilding, or a commercial building with a construction value of less than $25,000.00. It must be for your own use and occupancy and not built for sale or lease. If it is a residence, you must reside in the home for at least a year after the improvements. As an owner-builder, you are required to provide direct, on-site supervision of the construction and are responsible for making sure any subcontractors are licensed. Any unlicensed person must work directly for you under your direct supervision, which would make you responsible for deducting FICA and withholding tax and providing workers’ compensation for that person.

The cost varies, depending on the type of permit and the value of the work being done. The minimum permit fee is $22.50 for work valued under $1,000.00.

Two sets of drawings are required for residential permits. Three are required for commercial permits.

Some permits that don’t require plan review can be issued when you come in, if you have all the information needed. Permits that require plan review (depending on the scope of work) average one to two weeks, if you have all the information and documents needed.

It is difficult to create such a list without leaving out some type of work that would require a permit, but the list below should help:

- New Residential - Roofing - Fences - Patio Slabs - Sidewalks - Demolitions - Gas - Air Conditioning - Water Heaters - Windows/Doors

- New Commercial - Pools - Sheds - Driveways - Carports - House Moves - Electric - Fire Sprinklers - Mechanical Work

- Residential Renovations/Remodels - Commercial Renovations/Remodels - Signs - Screen Enclosures - Garages/Garage Doors - New Mobile Homes & Replacements -Tree Removal

Flood zone information is given out by the Building Department by calling 724-1515; however, the most accurate information is provided by a survey of your property by a Florida Registered Surveyor. If the property is located in the 100 year flood plain, federal flood insurance will be required by the Mortgage lender.

Any living shade tree having a DBH of 4 inches or greater or Sabal palmetto (Cabbage or Sabal Palm) with a clear trunk of five (5) feet, mangroves or trees listed on the ‘Protected tree and Replacement list.’

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is the diameter, in inches, of a tree measured at 4.5 feet above the existing grade.

Yes, it shall be unlawful for any person, without first obtaining a permit, to cut down, damage, top, poison, replace, replant, or effectively remove through excessive injury, or in any manner destroy or cause to be destroyed any protected tree.

(1) The Protected Tree(s) to be removed pose a safety hazard to pedestrians or vehicular traffic, threaten to cause disruption of public services or utility services, pose a safety hazard to persons or buildings or are within the visibility triangle; (2) The Protected Tree(s) to be Removed are weakened by age, fire or other injury or are in major decline, have a fatal and communicable disease, a fatal and communicable insect infestation, or have a defective structure that is a hazard; or 3) The Protected Trees to be removed must be removed in order to construct house improvements, pools, change of grade or new construction.

1) Trees under 4 inches in DBH are exempt unless the tree is a required replacement tree from the’ Protected tree and Replacement list.’ 2) Any tree that is not on the ‘Protected tree and Replacement list.’ 3) Due to their status as exotic species or invasive species, any trees listed on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council most recent Invasive Plant List I and II are not protected tree species. 4) Dead protected trees that are verified by the city arborist.

No, any tree maintenance pruning is required to be performed to industry standards required by ‘American National Standards (ANSI) A300 Part One’ Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management-Standard Practices (Pruning)’. Stub cuts and flush cuts for removing branches are prohibited. Only remove branches by a collar cut. Topping, excessive pruning or the removal of more than 25% of the tree’s leaf canopy is prohibited.

The application fee for residential parcels is $25 and for all other parcels is $100.

Sometimes: On single family homes when a hazardous tree is approved for removal a tree selected from the Protected Tree and Replacement List shall be planted. If the property has existing healthy, protected trees that exceed the minimum shade tree requirements by two (2) no replant will be required. A flat fee of $100 per tree will be required. The removal of healthy trees for construction trees must be replaced according to the Tree Replacement Ratio stated in the city tree ordinance section: 153.07 Permit Conditions.

A tree selected from the city’s Protected Tree and Replacement List. A Protected Tree having a minimum of two-inch trunk diameter measured six (6) inches above grade, a minimum width of (4) feet and a minimum height of (8) feet. Trees to be the minimum grade standard of Florida Grade 1 or better according to the current addition of Nursery Grades and Standards for Nursery Plants, published by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry.

Yes, provided proper pruning techniques are utilized. It is recommended that you notify the tree owner in writing that you want to trim their tree. Most pruning can be done by reducing the length of the branch by cutting back to a lateral branch which is called reduction pruning. Only 25% of the canopy can legally be removed. Older trees can only tolerate 5% of canopy reduction and more will negatively affect the health of the tree.

Palms can only be pruned to what is called a 9 to 3 cut which represents if you draw a horizontal line from 9:00am to 3:00pm on a watch. Pruning more fronds past the horizontal line is prohibited. Do not remove healthy green fronds. Doing so can cause the palms to have nutritional deficiencies and be more susceptible to palm diseases. Any individual or entity for hire that improperly prunes a cabbage palm within a commercial or multi-family development shall be subject to a fine of $100 per tree.

If a tree is removed illegally or pruned illegally (effective removal) the property owner shall be charged four (4) times the Tree Removal permit fee and four (4) times the Tree Replacement fee specified in Sec. 153.07 (D) (1) of the tree ordinance. All fines are due within three (3) months of the date of the violation letter or, if appealed, within thirty (30) days of the final order on the appeal. Also any individual or entity for hire that removes any Protected Tree shall be subject to fines in section 153.10 Enforcement (E) of the tree ordinance.

Yes, we strongly encourage homeowners to plant shade trees within their property. This will help protect and enhance the overall tree canopy of Safety Harbor. It is recommended that you plant the right tree in the right place, and plant it properly to ensure optimal success. See tree planting specifications. Planting in the city rights-of-way will require written permission from our Public Services Division.