Frequently Asked Questions

Any tree having a DBH of 4 inches or greater that is not specifically excluded from protection, including all mangroves, Sabal Palms, and Cabbage Palms.

The following tree species may be removed from private property without a permit: 

• Acacia
• Australian pine
• Avocado
• Brazilian pepper
• Cherry Laurel
• Chinaberry
• Chinese Tallow
• Citrus
• Ear
• Eucalyptus
• Ficus
• Italian cypress
• Jacaranda
• Jerusalem thorn
• Loquat
• Mango
• Monkey Puzzle
• Norfolk Island pine
• Orchid
• Palms (except Cabbage, Sabal, Palmetto, and Royal)
• Poinciana
• Punk
• Silk Oak
• Toog
• Woman's Tongue

Yes. It shall be unlawful for any person, without first obtaining a permit, to cut down, damage, top, poison, replace, replant, or effectively re- move through excessive injury, or in any man- ner destroy or cause to be destroyed any protected tree.

No. The trimming of trees as normal maintenance is exempt from permitting provided such trimming does not result in mutilation, death, or removal of the tree. Topping, excessive pruning or the removal of more than one-third of the tree's leaf canopy is prohibited without a permit.

The application fee varies from $25 to $100 based on the type of property.

Trees removed shall be replaced as follows: One DBH inch for each DBH inch removed or a fee in lieu thereof shall be paid. For example, if you remove an 8 inch protected tree then you must replant 8 inches of trees or pay the appropriate replacement fees.

The following fees shall apply unless the required replacement trees are planted on the site:

• Individual single-family residential lots presently occupied by the owner:
  • 4 inches to less than 10 inches DBH, $10 per inch removed
  • 10 inches to less than 20 inches DBH, $20 per inch removed
  • 20 inches to less than 30 inches DBH, $40 per inch removed
  • 30 inches and greater DBH, $50 per inch removed
• All other developments or properties:
  •  4 inches to less than 8 inches DBH, $25 per inch removed
  • 8 inches to less than 15 inches DBH, $50 per inch removed
  • 15 inches to less than 25 inches DBH, $75 per inch removed
  • 25 inches and greater DBH, $100 per inch removed

Yes, if one or more of the following conditions is found to exist:

1. The tree is diseased or injured to the point it will ultimately expire and no reasonable remedy exists
2. The tree is in immediate danger of falling and no economically practicable remedy exists
3. The tree is significantly endangering existing structures so that its continued presence will ultimately cause damage and no economically practicable remedy exists
4. In the City's professional opinion the tree is substantially endangering existing pavement or utility services in a manner that threatens to damage property or life
5. The tree creates unsafe visibility which pruning will not rectify
6. It is found by the city to be in the interest of the general public's health, safety, and welfare that the trees be removed
7. The tree or tree cluster is less than 19 inches DBH and is located within the primary building pad, primary foundation line, swimming pool, and swimming pool patio pad or that portion of the driveway within 15 feet of the garage or carport entrance, and these structures cannot be relocated

Diameter Breast Height (DBH) means the diameter, in inches, of a tree measured at 4.5 feet above the existing grade.

1.Fill out our online application on our GoPost Portal. 

2. Upload all plans and associated documents.  All required documents outside the application can be found on our Building Development website under Applications and Forms.

You can look up the zoning or land use of a property in on our Online Zoning Map Portal. You can search a property by address, parcel ID, or search on the map. When you find the property you are looking for, click on "More Info" to go to the zoning code and find out what can be developed on the property.

You may also request for a Zoning/Land Use Verification from the Planning and Zoning Department by completing and submitting the online form.

You can look up your property's address on the Online Zoning Map Portal to see if it is located within the local or national historic district. The map will default to the zoning district layer. To turn on the historic district layers, you will need to click on the 'Layers Tab' in the menu and then check the boxes next to the three historic district layers (National HD Boundary, Local HD Boundary, and Historic District Properties). You can also use the online map to see if a property is located within the Greektown Cultural District by selecting the three Greektown layers.

You can also look up your property on the Historic Districts Property Map.

A calendar for the Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners and all advisory boards is available on the city's online agenda portal. Agendas and agenda backup materials for each meeting are posted on this site as they become available before each meeting.

Short term rentals, also referred to as tourist homes, are only permitted in specific zoning districts and in some cases under certain conditions. Visit the Short Term Rental topic page to see where short term rentals are allowed. You can also contact the Planning and Zoning Department to verify an address. 

Below are the simple steps to apply for a planning and zoning application.

1. Step 1: Download the correct application and addendums from the Applications & Forms page.
2. Step 2: Visit the online Application Submittal Portal (goPost) to create a new project in order to submit the application materials, plans, and other necessary documents.
3. Step 3: Submit the application fee via check or money order made payable to "City of Tarpon Springs". The fee can either be dropped off at City Hall located at 324 East Pine Street, Tarpon Springs, Florida or mailed to Planning and Zoning, P.O. Box 5004, Tarpon Springs, Florida 34688.
4. Step 4: Once your project has been accepted, you will receive regular email updates from goPost throughout the process.

For more detailed information about the review process, please visit the Development Review page and review the Applicant's Guide to Technical Review Committee (TRC).

The Storm Damage Permit Requirement Letter is a letter being sent to homes in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) that were believed to have received damage from Hurricanes Debby, Helene, or Milton, but have not yet come in to obtain a building permit. This letter is a reminder to get in touch with the Building Department within 60 days of the date of receipt of the letter to obtain a building permit for repair/renovation of storm damage or discuss why you would not require a permit. Call (727)942-5617 or email the Building Department.

• Stop All Repair/Renovation Work: Do not start or continue repairs and/or renovations until you obtain a Storm Damage Permit. Doing work without a permit could cost you tens of thousands of dollars down the road.
• For Repair/Renovations Already Completed Without a Permit: Work that was completed to repair/renovate storm damage is still required to have a permit on record. This is considered an After-the-Fact Storm Damage Permit. There will be no penalties for obtaining this permit; only storm damage permit fee is applicable.
• Hire a Qualified Professional: Work with licensed contractors, appraisers, and possibly an engineer or architect to ensure your repairs meet current standards. An elevation certificate may also be required to verify the necessary height above Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Visit the Florida DBPR website to find licensed contractors in Pinellas County.

Did you experience flooding inside your home or wind damage outside of your home that required repairs? Did you make repairs to your home due to other types of storm damage? If you live in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), you are required to obtain a storm damage permit for the repair/remodel work.

Also known as the substantial damage rule, the FEMA 50% Rule stipulates that if the cost to repair flood damage to a building equals or exceeds 50% of its pre-damage market value, the building is considered substantially damaged. This triggers the requirement to bring the entire structure into compliance with current local floodplain management standards, which may include elevating the structure, floodproofing, or other measures.

Visit the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's site. Type in your address, look for the box that says, "Quick Pick Tool," and choose "FEMA/WLM Letter". There is a sentence in that letter in bold that states "The preceding value allocation to the structure would allow repairs/improvements not to exceed $xxx based on the "50% Rule".

Yes, you can obtain an appraisal that might increase the value of your structure compared to what is listed on the Property Appraiser's website. However, the appraisal must be an Actual Cash Value (ACV) Appraisal. Be sure to ask your appraiser for a FEMA 50% Rule Actual Cash Value (ACV) Appraisal. A typical appraisal will not be accepted.

More information on Actual Cash Value (ACV) Appraisals (PDF)

Determines the current "market value" of an item, taking into account depreciation due to age, condition, and wear and tear. It's often used in insurance claims to determine how much an insurer will pay out for damaged or destroyed property, subtracting depreciation from the replacement cost. Be sure to ask your appraiser for a FEMA 50% Rule Actual Cash Value (ACV) Appraisal. A typical appraisal will not be accepted.

More Information on Actual Cash Value (ACV) Appraisals (PDF)

To determine what to include in your FEMA 50% Rule cost calculations, refer to the 'Determining Costs of Improvements and Costs to Repair' (PDF) document.