It’s one of the first questions we hear: “Can I just take this tree down?” Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes you need a permit first. The answer depends on who governs your property (the county or a city), what kind of tree it is, how big it is, and whether it’s a hazard.
Here’s how it works in the areas we serve around Spring Hill, Hudson, New Port Richey, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and Lutz.
Rules change. This article is a plain-language guide, not legal advice. Your county or city has the final word, so check with them before you cut.
Step 1: Find out who governs your property
Your mailing address doesn’t always tell you. Many homes with a “New Port Richey” address are actually in unincorporated Pasco County, not inside the city. Look up your parcel on your county property appraiser’s website, or call the permitting office, to find out who has jurisdiction.
- Spring Hill and Shady Hills: unincorporated Hernando County
- Hudson, Land O’ Lakes, and Wesley Chapel: generally unincorporated Pasco County
- Aripeka: sits on the Hernando–Pasco line, so check which county your parcel is in
- New Port Richey (inside city limits): City of New Port Richey
- Lutz: mostly unincorporated Hillsborough County, but some Lutz-area addresses are in Pasco
The state law that matters most: hazardous trees on your home lot
In 2019 Florida passed a law (HB 1159) that limits local tree permits on home lots. It was tightened in 2022 (SB 518). It’s now Section 163.045 of the Florida Statutes, and it applies in every county and city we serve.
Here’s what the current law says:
- A local government can’t require a notice, application, permit, fee, or mitigation to prune, trim, or remove a tree on residential property if the owner has documentation that the tree poses an unacceptable risk to people or property.
- The documentation has to come from an ISA Certified Arborist or a Florida licensed landscape architect. It must be based on an on-site assessment that follows the ISA’s Best Management Practices – Tree Risk Assessment, Second Edition (2017), and it must be signed.
- “Unacceptable risk” means removal is the only practical way to bring the tree’s risk below moderate. A tree that just drops leaves or that you don’t like doesn’t qualify.
- The local government can’t make you replant a tree removed under this law.
- “Residential property” means a single-family, detached home on a lot actively used as a residence. Vacant lots, commercial property, and most multi-family property don’t qualify.
- The law doesn’t override mangrove protection rules.
What this means for you: If a tree near your home is truly hazardous, a proper risk assessment from an ISA Certified Arborist may mean you don’t need a county or city permit. Without that documentation, normal local rules apply. Keep the signed assessment with your records, and check whether your county wants a copy.
Joe Cassilly, owner of Treemasters, is an I.S.A. Certified Arborist (FL-5564-A) and can do this kind of assessment. If the tree can be saved, we’ll tell you that too.
Hernando County (Spring Hill, Shady Hills, and unincorporated Hernando)
Hernando County’s tree and landscaping rules are in Chapter 10 (“Community Appearance”) of the County Code. They’re aimed mainly at land clearing and new development.
The county has been rewriting Chapter 10. A final public hearing was scheduled before the Board of County Commissioners on November 10, 2026. The county’s own materials say the proposed rules are meant to apply to new development approvals, and that they follow the state’s hazardous-tree law for homeowners. As of this writing, we haven’t confirmed the final vote or the exact wording that was adopted.
Our advice for Hernando homeowners:
- The county doesn’t clearly publish whether removing a tree on an existing home lot needs a permit. Before you remove a large, healthy tree, call Hernando County Planning & Zoning at (352) 754-4057 to confirm.
- If you’re clearing a lot or building, expect land-clearing and development rules to apply.
- For a hazardous tree on your home lot, the state law above applies.
- Fees: Hernando County doesn’t clearly publish a residential tree-removal permit fee. Ask the county.
- Hernando County says you may generally trim a neighbor’s branches that hang over your property line, as long as you stay on your side of the line.
Pasco County (Hudson, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Aripeka-area Pasco parcels, and unincorporated New Port Richey)
Pasco County publishes the clearest homeowner guidance of any county in our area. These rules come from Section 802 of the Land Development Code and the county’s published tree removal checklist.
Usually no permit needed:
- Non-native trees
- Palms
- Pines, except longleaf pine
- Trees you planted yourself that are under 5 inches in diameter at breast height (4.5 feet off the ground) and aren’t on an approved plan
Usually a permit needed:
- Native trees 5 inches or more in diameter at breast height (other than the exemptions above)
- Trees shown on an approved plan, such as your home’s site plan or a landscape plan, even when they’re newly planted
- Trees planted by a developer, even under 5 inches
What Pasco looks for:
- A valid reason the tree can’t be saved, such as disease, decline, structural failure, or damage to the house or other permanent structures. The county says allergies, leaf drop, and looks are not valid reasons.
- Photos, plus a site plan. An aerial image with the tree marked is accepted.
- A signed and notarized application (how to fill it out)
- A right-of-way use permit in some cases, if the tree is in a county right-of-way
What to expect:
- Replanting: Permits come with an automatic replanting requirement unless the county grants an exemption.
- Timeline: The permit gives you 30 days to remove the tree, replant, and upload photos of the new tree.
- Extra review: Grand trees and wetland areas get extra review.
- Vacant lots: Pasco says it has no “lot clearing permit.” Parcels without a home need an address and a site development permit before removing trees that require a permit.
- Fees: Pasco’s guidance says most permits have a base fee of $50 and can range from $50 to $130. Confirm the current fee on your invoice.
- Review time: The county lists an average review time of 3 to 4 business days for complete applications (submittal requirements).
You can apply through the county’s PascoGateway portal, or have a contractor apply for you. Pasco notes that whoever pulls the permit owns it.
City of New Port Richey (inside city limits)
The City of New Port Richey has its own Tree Removal Permit Application, under City Code Section 8.02.00 (Tree Protection). The city says some tree species don’t need a city permit. The city doesn’t publish a fee or a list of exempt species on its forms page, so call the Development Department at (727) 853-1016 before you start.
Lutz (unincorporated Hillsborough County)
If your Lutz home is in unincorporated Hillsborough County:
- Permits: Hillsborough says a permit is generally required to remove a tree.
- Fee: The current published fee is $81.65 for any number of trees on a parcel up to 5 acres.
- Exemptions: Some species are exempt. Grand Oaks have stricter rules.
- Pruning: No permit is needed to prune, but pruning has to meet ANSI A300 standards. The county generally recommends removing less than 25% of the canopy.
- Applying: Permits are applied for online through HillsGovHub. A homeowner, a licensed tree contractor, or a certified arborist can apply.
- Faster review: An ISA Certified Arborist affidavit can speed up the review. That option isn’t available for Grand Oaks.
- Hazardous trees: The state law above applies here too.
If your Lutz-area property is actually in Pasco County, follow the Pasco rules instead.
Before any tree comes down
- Check your HOA or deed restrictions. They can be stricter than the county.
- Ask about wetlands, conservation areas, and protected or “grand” trees. These get extra review.
- Keep your records. Hold onto photos, the permit or the arborist’s risk documentation, and any replanting proof.
- Don’t wait on a dangerous tree. If a tree is cracked, leaning badly, or threatening the house, call for an assessment right away. See also Signs that it’s time for tree removal.
Let us handle the paperwork
Permits are part of the job for us. Treemasters offers permitting assistance. We’ll tell you whether a permit is likely needed, document the tree’s condition, and help you through the county or city process. As an I.S.A. Certified Arborist (FL-5564-A), Joe can also provide a formal tree risk assessment when a tree may qualify under Florida’s hazardous-tree law.
Call Treemasters Tree Service at (813) 404-0944 for an assessment in Spring Hill and the surrounding towns.
Treemasters Tree Service Inc · 12933 Lussier Ln, Spring Hill, FL 34610 · (813) 404-0944 · TreemastersTampa@gmail.com · Mon–Sat 7:00 AM–6:00 PM, Sunday closed