Tree Removal Permit in Alpharetta Georgia

Avoid expensive fines when you remove a tree from your Alpharetta, Ga property. Knowing when and which trees need a permit for removal will help you stay clear of legal problems and steep penalties.

alpharettagaliving.wordpress.com gathered information on the current tree removal permit process and requirements in Alpharetta, Ga.

Residential Tree Removal – Alpharetta, Ga

Before removing any living tree from residential property, a tree removal permit application must be submitted and approved by the City of Alpharetta’s Community Development Arborist.

A tree removal permit application should be filled out online. The following steps will guide you through this process:

1. Read the online tree removal permit application instructions
2. Sign up or log in at permits.alpharetta.ga.us/permits/template/login.aspx
3. Once you’ve created an account and/or logged in, click “Create Application”
4. Click on the “Tree Permits” category
5. Click on the desired permit “Tree Removal Permit”
6. Fill out as much information as you can or is applicable (use the “next button” to advance through the application form)
7. Provide detailed information about the tree(s) in question (species name, size, location, reason for removal, etc.)
8. Add attachments (sketches, diagrams, and photos) that support your permit application
9. No fees are assessed or associated with a tree removal permit or application for one
10. Click “submit”

Tip: When applicable, application help notifications will appear. Read these notifications before dismissing them. They contain important information and directions.

Allow up to ten business days from your submittal date for a final answer to your application. You may be notified by email when:

• Further information is required, or your application is incomplete
• A replanting agreement is required to process your application
• When your permit is ready to be printed and posted

While a permit is not required to remove a dead tree from a single-family residential property, it is highly recommended to email the following details to the City Arborist:

• Location of the tree (address)
• Property owner’s name
• Name of the tree removal company
• Reason for the removal of the tree
• Proposed removal date
• Photograph and/or video showing that the tree is dead

Send the above information and attachment(s) to treepermits@alpharetta.ga.us

Commercial Tree Removal – Alpharetta, Ga

Before removing any living or dead tree from common areas of residential neighborhoods, such as clubhouses, tennis courts, neighborhood entrances, etc., and commercial/business properties, a tree removal permit application must be submitted to and approved by the City of Alpharetta.

In most commercial tree removals, trees will need to be replaced on-site to maintain compliance with zoning requirements and the minimum tree density requirement for commercial property.

To aid you in the completion of a tree removal permit application, have the following information readily available:

• Address (location) of the tree (required)
• Name of property owner(s) (required)
• List of trees to be removed including type and size (required)
• Location of the tree on the property and reason for the removal (required)
• Diagram and photographs of the property showing the tree(s) and their locations (required)
• Replanting plan for any zoning required trees (required)
• ISA certified arborist assessment for any Specimen size tree (required)
• Name of tree removal company (optional but preferred)
• Additional tree planting may be required if/when a specimen size tree is approved for removal

The tree removal permit application instructions used to complete the application for a residential tree removal permit should also be used for a commercial tree removal permit on the same online application.

Additional questions regarding residential or commercial tree removal should be directed to the City’s Community Development Arborist by phone (678) 297-6229 or by email at treepermits@alpharetta.ga.us

Emergency and Storm Tree Removal – Alpharetta, Ga

The removal of storm-damaged trees is handled on a case-by-case basis. Such trees include those in imminent danger of falling, trees that have toppled, suffered windthrow, or windsnap after severe weather.

Before taking action to remove the tree in question, email the City Arborist at treepermits@alpharetta.ga.us with the following:

• Address of the tree’s location
• Name of the property owner
• Name of the tree removal company to perform the removal
• Reason for removal
• Date of intended removal
• Photographs of the tree showing its damages, defects, and danger

In these situations, per the Alpharetta tree removal permit ordinance, you will not be required to submit a tree removal permit application. Once you’ve emailed the above information to the City Arborist, you may or may not receive official notification or be granted permission from the City of Alpharetta. A local approved arborist and expert at emergency tree removal service is 72tree.com. If a tree has fallen on your property or thorugh your roof, call a tree service that specializes in this type of removal.

Note: If you cannot send an email, take photos and/or video of the tree(s), along with any tree hazard assessment(s) provided by an arborist for your records. Once you have your documentation, call the City Arborist at (678) 297-6229 to let them know you are removing a hazardous tree.

You may be found in violation of the City’s tree protection ordinance for removing a tree without providing required documentation that the tree was storm-damaged or hazardous.

When storm-damaged trees interfere with power lines, contact Georgia Power at (888) 660-5890. From the main menu, select option #1, then option #3 to report the situation.

Tip: Do not contact trees touching power lines (even if the power line is down). Trees, in this circumstance, may be energized and potentially result in your electrocution.

Specimen Trees in Alpharetta, Ga

Specimen trees in Alpharetta, Ga, are given special protection by law. Removing a specimen tree without a permit may result in additional fines and penalties. The following size criteria will help you determine whether or not your tree is a specimen tree:

The diameter of a tree trunk is measured 4.5 feet up from the root flare and referred to as the diameter at breast height (dbh).

30-inch diameter or greater – Including pines and overstory trees

• Pinus (Pine)
• Liquidambar (Sweetgum)
• Liriodendron (Tulip poplar)

20-inch diameter or greater – Including coniferous trees and those species reaching heights over 40 feet

• Cedrus (Deodar cedar)
• Thuja (Arborvitae)
• Fagus (Beech)
• Nyssa (Tupelo)
• Diospyros (Persimmon)
• Sassafras (Sassafras)
• Magnolia grandiflora (Southern magnolia)

24-inch diameter or greater – for all other species/genera

8-inch diameter or greater – Including understory trees

For more species information on trees found in Alpharetta, visit the City of Alpharetta Tree Species List.

Authorized Tree Removal Contractor Program

The City of Alpharetta instituted an “Authorized Tree Removal Contractor Program” that allows qualified tree removal contractors to expedite certain tree removal projects.

An authorized tree removal contractor can initiate the removal of a tree(s) before securing an approved tree removal permit from the City of Alpharetta if the tree removal project complies with the following:

1. The tree removal contractor must be in good standing with the City of Alpharetta
2. A complete permit application has been submitted to the City via the online portal
3. The property is a single-family residential, detached property
4. The tree(s) is not a specimen tree
5. The tree(s) is not within a stream or lake buffer
6. The tree(s) is not within a zoning buffer or tree save area

If the proposed removal triggers a required tree planting, the tree removal permit application must include a replanting plan signed by the property owner.

This expedited approval by the City of Alpharetta does not exempt the property owner or contractor from any applicable HOA requirements.

Each authorized Alpharetta tree removal contractor will have attended a training class offered by the City Arborist, will be in possession of certification, and a unique Authorization Number.

The tree removal permit application can be initiated by one of the authorized contractors found at https://www.alpharetta.ga.us/government/departments/community-development/tree-removal/residential-tree-removal/authorized-tree-removal-contractor-program.

Public Works Arborist or Community Development Arborist

The City of Alpharetta employs two arborists, one in Public Works and one in Community Development. Their duties are separated as follows:

Public Works Arborist – This arborist manages the urban forest in the city-owned right-of-way. Damaged or dangerous trees in the right-of-way should be reported by calling (678) 297-6200, or through “See Click Fix” at alpharetta.ga.us/about/tools-available/seeclickfix

Community Development Arborist – This arborist completes plan reviews on private developments and reviews tree removal permit applications for private property trees. You can contact the Community Development Arborist at (678) 297-6229 or by email at treepermits@alpharetta.ga.us

Tree Removal Permit Applications in Alpharetta, Georgia

In this article, you discovered up-to-date information on the tree removal permit application process and requirements in the City of Alpharetta, Ga.

Knowing how to properly apply for a tree removal permit, you can expedite the removal of a dead, dying, infested, diseased, or nuisance tree.

When you remove a tree without the proper permitting in-hand, you risk being assessed steep fines and penalties.

Sources:
alpharetta.ga.us