Tree Removal Permits

A Tree Removal Permit is required when a tree meets one of the following criteria and is being removed independently of construction activity:

Any tree measuring 18 inches Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or larger
Any Dogwood (opens in new tab) or Redbud (opens in new tab) tree measuring 10 inches DBH or larger
Any tree located within a Stream Buffer, the 75-foot protected corridor along designated streams and bodies of water

A Tree Removal Permit is also required when a combination of healthy and dead, dying, diseased, or hazardous trees will be removed.

Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Hazardous Trees

If a tree is dead, dying, diseased, or hazardous, documentation must be submitted to the City Arborist for approval before removal without a permit.

Email the following information to arborist@sandyspringsga.gov :

Tree description (example: 20-inch pine)
Property address
Description of the issue
Photos documenting the tree condition

Construction-Related Tree Removal

If tree removal is associated with construction activities such as grading, pool installation, patios, or additions, applicants must submit a Tree Conservation Plan instead of a Tree Removal Permit application.

Tree Conservation Plans must comply with the Tree Conservation Ordinance, Division 9.3 of the Development Code (opens in new tab) and be submitted with construction documents before any tree removal or impacts occur.

Additional requirements are available in Section 1 of the Sandy Springs Technical Manual (opens in new tab) .

Who Can Apply for a Tree Removal Permit?

Tree Removal Permits may be requested by:

Property owners
Certified arborists
Commercial tree removal company representatives

Applying for a Tree Removal Permit

Apply online through Build Sandy Springs (opens in new tab) .

The OpenGov portal allows applicants to:

Complete permit applications
Upload supporting documents
Pay invoices
Track permit status

Applicants may also schedule an appointment through QLess (opens in new tab) to meet with a Permit Technician at City Hall.

Application Documents

Tree Removal Permit Online Application (opens in new tab)
Photos: Submit photos showing the condition of the trees and any visible issues.
Tree Drawing: Provide a drawing identifying all trees proposed for removal. Clearly label each tree and mark trees to be removed with an “X.” Hand-drawn sketches or printed property maps are acceptable.
Property maps can be accessed through the Fulton County Tax Assessor website (opens in new tab) .
Arborist Report (optional): Applicants may consult a certified arborist for evaluation assistance. Certified arborists can be located through TreesAreGood.org (opens in new tab) .

Measuring Tree Diameter

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is the standard method for measuring tree diameter.

To measure DBH:

Measure the tree circumference at 4.5 feet above ground level
If the tree is on a slope, measure from the highest ground point
Divide the circumference by 3.14 to determine the diameter

Stream Buffers

Use the Community Development Map (opens in new tab) to determine whether Stream Buffers apply to your property.

Enable the “StreamBufferQuickDraw” layer using the map’s Layers panel.

Learn more about Stream Buffers (opens in new tab) .

Stream Buffers are protected 75-foot corridors along designated streams and bodies of water. Construction and land disturbance activities in these areas are heavily regulated and may be restricted.

Identifying Landmark Trees

The following trees are considered Landmark Trees when they are in fair or better condition:

Hardwood trees measuring 27 inches DBH or larger
Pine trees measuring 30 inches DBH or larger
Dogwood or Redbud trees measuring 10 inches DBH or larger

Landmark Tree removal requires replacement planting at a ratio of 1.5 replacement trees for every Landmark Tree removed.

Canopy Coverage Requirements

Minimum tree canopy requirements within Sandy Springs are:

Residential properties: 35% canopy coverage
Commercial properties: 40% canopy coverage

Only Protected Trees, defined as trees measuring 18 inches DBH or larger, contribute toward canopy coverage calculations. Each Protected Tree provides 1,000 square feet of canopy credit.

If removing Protected Trees causes a property to fall below required canopy coverage, or if the property is already below minimum requirements, applicants must:

Pay $1,200 into the City Tree Fund for each Protected Tree removed
Plant one replacement tree for each Protected Tree removed

Replacement trees for both Protected Trees and Landmark Trees must:

Be a minimum 2.5-inch large canopy species
Be maintained for three full growing seasons

Additional canopy requirements and approved replacement species are listed in Section 1 of the Sandy Springs Technical Manual (opens in new tab) .

Contact the City Arborist

For assistance, call 770-730-5600 and ask to speak with the City Arborist, or email arborist@sandyspringsga.gov .