Do I Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in DeLand, FL?

By Volusia Grapple · Updated October 26, 2026

A DeLand tree removal permit may be required. Start by confirming whether your property is inside city limits or in unincorporated Volusia County. Local exemptions and Florida Statute 163.045 may apply, but a DeLand mailing address or a visibly dead tree alone does not establish an exemption.

City of DeLand tree removal requirements

The city has its own tree-permitting process, with separate application, review, historic-tree, and replacement-related fees. A $0 residential application fee does not mean every residential removal is free of review fees. Ask the city to confirm the applicable exemption or approval before scheduling removal.

DeLand’s published permit FAQ asks applicants to identify the tree’s location. For more than two removals, it calls for a property survey identifying trees greater than six inches in diameter and marking the proposed removals. Confirm current survey requirements, historic-tree review, and any replacement conditions for your project.

Unincorporated Volusia County: a different set of rules

The county’s Tree FAQs describe an exemption when a residentially zoned property already contains an owner-occupied single-family or two-family home. The county cautions that demolition and replacement of the home can change eligibility. Trees in wetlands or upland buffers are not covered by that exemption.

Vacant lots, commercial sites, and nonresidential properties generally require tree-removal permits unless another exemption applies. Do not assume a rental or multifamily property qualifies for the owner-occupied exemption. On sites subject to county tree protection, setback trees and historic trees can affect the review. Wildlife and wetland requirements may still apply even when no tree permit is required.

Florida Statute 163.045: documented unacceptable risk

This state-law exemption concerns a detached single-family building on a lot actively used as a single-family residence, with a lawful conforming or recognized nonconforming use. It is not a blanket exemption for all residential property.

1. Obtain a signed, on-site tree-risk assessment from an ISA-certified arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect.
2. The assessment must follow the statute’s specified 2017 ISA tree-risk procedures and establish an unacceptable risk to people or property.
3. Removal must be the only practical way to bring the assessed risk below moderate.
4. Possess the required documentation before relying on the exemption and retain a copy.

When the statutory conditions are satisfied, local government cannot require notice, an application, approval, a permit, fees, mitigation, or replacement planting for that work. Attached townhomes, condominiums, multifamily buildings, and commercial sites do not fit the stated detached single-family definition. The section preserves specifically delegated mangrove-protection authority.

What to do before scheduling tree removal

1. Verify city limits and the permitting authority using the property address.
2. Photograph the tree from a safe location and note access, nearby structures, and overhead lines.
3. Ask the authority what approvals apply. If relying on state law, arrange the required professional assessment.
4. Keep approvals or exemption documentation with your project records.
5. Request a removal and debris-hauling quote once the project scope is clear.

Keep away from hanging limbs and trees contacting power lines; report electrical hazards to the utility. Do not attempt to measure or inspect an unstable tree yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Does a dead tree still need a permit in DeLand?

It can. DeLand’s dead-tree FAQ describes a possible exemption involving a tree under 20 inches in diameter, residence in the home for more than ten years, and a location outside a designated tree-protection or natural area. Ask the city whether it applies. Dead status alone does not establish the separate state-law risk exemption.

How long does a DeLand tree permit take?

Ask the city for its current review time after describing your project. Survey completeness, tree protections, and the scope of work can affect the process. Do not schedule removal based on an assumed approval date.

Who handles the permit process?

Clarify who will submit the application, provide any survey or assessment, and retain approval records before agreeing to the work. Confirm the credentials of the professional preparing any statutory risk assessment.

Need tree removal or debris hauling in DeLand?

Tell Volusia Grapple about the tree, property access, and cleanup needed. Ask what is included in your quote and which permit or assessment steps remain your responsibility.

Volusia Grapple · 4074 Marsh Rd., DeLand, FL 32724. This general guide does not determine your property’s eligibility; confirm project-specific requirements with the relevant authority.