Volusia County Tree Ordinance

Tree Preservation

PART II – CODE OF ORDINANCES

Chapter 72 – LAND PLANNING

ARTICLE III. – LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

DIVISION 10. VOLUSIA COUNTY TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE

DIVISION 10. VOLUSIA COUNTY TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE [46] Sec. 72-831. Purpose and jurisdiction.

(a) The county council finds and determines that it is in the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare to protect and preserve trees and enhance tree cover in Volusia County, Florida. The value of trees are many and varied and include, but are not limited to the following:

(1) Trees are valuable producers of oxygen, a necessary element to the human survival, and serve to reduce the environmentally dangerous carbon dioxide concentration in the air.

(2) The leaves of the trees trap and filter out ash, dust and pollen in the air.

(3) Trees may reduce wind velocity and noise levels.

(4) Trees may prevent erosion by stabilizing the soil through their root system and by breaking the force of raindrops pounding upon soil surfaces.

(5) Trees reduce the quantity of surface runoff and reduce the percentages of impervious surfaces.

(6) Trees help purify water by removing the nutrients from waters passing through the ground from the surface to the groundwater table.

(7) Trees provide shade and transpire water which helps to moderate temperatures and cleanse the air.

(8) Trees provide food, shelter and essential habitat for wildlife.

(9) Trees provide valuable visual aesthetics and psychological contrast to the urban environment.

(10) Trees are a valuable asset and increase the economic and aesthetic value of developed and undeveloped properties.

Therefore, for the above-described reasons, the county council has determined that it is necessary to enact this division.

(b) Jurisdiction. This division shall apply to the unincorporated areas of Volusia County, Florida.

(Ord. No. 02-13, § I, 7-18-02; Ord. No. 2008-25, § III, 12-4-08)

Sec. 72-832. Penalty.

(a) Violations of this division are punishable as provided in chapter 1, section 1-7, Code of Ordinances, County of Volusia.

(b) Any person who violates a provision of this division may be required to replace an affected tree, at the county forester’s option. Application and approval of a tree permit in accordance with the requirements of section 72-836 must be obtained. Replacement stock must be planted within 90 days of permit issuance. The cross sectional area of the replacement stock shall be taken at the tree’s caliper and shall be equal to 150 percent of the cross sectional area of the tree removed. The county forester may reduce the replacement schedule based on the nature of the violation. All other tree replacement provisions of section 72-842 shall apply.

(Ord. No. 02-13, § I, 7-18-02; Ord. No. 2008-25, § III, 12-4-08)

Volusia County, Florida, Code of Ordinances Page 1

To read code in its entirety –

www.volusia.org/core/fileparse.php/4726/urlt/Division10TreePreservationOrdinance01-30-2014.pdf

Arbor Day Florida

We have two times a year here in Florida to celebrate Arbor Day. January and April!

This year, January 19, 2019, I will be planting a tree at Pine Ridge High School. Please contact DeltonaGardens@outlook.com if you are interested in attending.

Barbara Willey.

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