Fulton County Unincorporated Tree Ordinance

Permit Required: No (Residential)

The primary concern for the Tree Ordinance of Fulton County Unincorporated is the preservation of trees as part of the land development, building construction and timber harvest processes. It is not the intent of this ordinance to regulate individual properties where activities do not require a land disturbance, building construction or timber harvest permit.”

Specifics:

Residential homeowners are not required to file for permits in Unincorporated Fulton County.

To be classified as a specimen tree the tree must be in fair or better condition and either equal or surpass the following diameter sizes:

• Large hardwoods – 27” DBH – Oak, Hickory, Yellow Poplar, Sweetgum, Etc.
• Large Hardwoods – 24″ DBH – Beech
• Large Softwoods – 24″ DBH – Pine, Deodar Cedar
• Small Native Flowering – 10″ DBH – Dogwood, Redbud, Sourwood

Specimen Tree: Any tree which has been determined by the County Arborist to be of high value because of its type, size, age, or other professional criteria, and has been so designated according to administrative standards established by the Department of Environment and Community.

Specimen Tree: A Tree In Fair Or Better Condition Must Meet The Following Minimum Standards:

• A life expectancy of greater than 10 years.
• A relatively sound and solid trunk with no extensive decay or hollow, and less than 20 percent radial trunk dieback.
• No more than one major and several minor dead limbs (hardwoods only).
• No major insect or pathological problem.
• A lesser sized tree can be considered a specimen if it is a rare or unusual species, of exceptional quality, or of historical significance.
• A lesser size tree can be considered a specimen if it is specifically used by a builder, developer, or design professional as a focal point in a project or landscape.