Alpharetta, Georgia

Find your regulatory agency for Tree Removals:
Within city limits: Georgia City Limits Map
Within county limits: Atlanta Counties Map

Tree Removal Permit Required: YES

Key Submission Items:

Tree survey of property (location, species, size, specimen status)
Site plan (basic aerial view or drawing with trees labeled for preservation or removal)
Photos of tree(s) for removal
(If Specimen Tree) A Tree Risk Assessment by an arborist.
(If minimum density not met) A Tree Replacement Plan for site.

Submission Portal: https://permits.alpharetta.ga.us/permits/template/Login.aspx
City Website: https://www.alpharetta.ga.us/government/departments/community-development/tree-removal

Quick facts:

All individual trees require a Tree Removal Permit.
Specimen Trees will require an assessment report by a Certified Arborist.
Dead, Dying, and Hazardous (DDH) trees on residential lots do not require a permit, but submission of photos for reference are recommended. DDH trees on commercial and multi-family residential properties DO require a Tree Removal Permit.
All properties are subject to the minimum tree density requirements of 130” DBH/acre. Single family residential properties can apply an alternate minimum of 30% conserved canopy coverage to meet minimum requirement.
A request for a Tree Replacement Plan will be emailed to the applicant if minimum density is not met with removal of tree and a Tree Replacement Plan is required to move forward with permitting.
Removal of healthy Specimen Trees may require additional recompense plantings or payment to the city Tree Replacement Fund.

Specimen Tree Definition:

Coniferous Trees:

30-inch diameter or larger for trees in the Pinus (Pine) genus
20-inch diameter or larger for trees in the cedars (deodar cedar), Thuja (Arborvitae), or other ecologically similar trees,

Overstory Trees:

30-inch diameter or larger for trees in the Liquidambar (Sweetgum) or Liriodendron (Tulip poplar) genus
20-inch diameter or larger for trees in the Fagus (Beech), Nyssa (Tupelo), Diospyros (Persimmon), Sassafras (Sassafras), or other ecologically similar trees
20-inch diameter or larger for Magnolia grandiflora (Southern magnolia) and those cultivars that generally reach a mature height over 40
24-inch diameter or larger for trees in all other genera

Understory Trees:

10-inch diameter or larger for Sourwood
8-inch diameter or larger for all other genera

Dead, Dying, Hazardous (DDH) Definition
‍A tree posing immediate hazard or danger to a person or property due to imminent failure in part or whole.

‍Contact the Alpharetta City Arborist at 678-297-6229 or treepermits@alpharetta.ga.us with any questions regarding tree removal or care that are answered on their website.

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