What size tree needs a permit in DeKalb County?
Three bands, all measured by DBH:
| Trunk size (DBH) | Permit required? |
|---|---|
| Under 5 inches | No permit required |
| 5 to 10 inches | Only when removing more than 5 in a single year |
| Specimen, overstory 30 inches or more | Always required, regardless of quantity |
| Specimen, understory 10 inches or more | Always required, regardless of quantity |
What counts as a specimen tree?
Specimen status is set by size and canopy class, not by species alone. In DeKalb County an overstory tree qualifies at 30 inches DBH or more, and an understory tree qualifies at 10 inches DBH or more.
That distinction matters because specimen status overrides the quantity allowance entirely. One specimen tree needs a permit even if it is the first tree touched all year, and even if the lot is otherwise well inside the five-tree allowance.
Which removals are exempt from the permit requirement?
Three exemptions apply on a single-family lot:
- Dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, which require a certified assessment to document the condition
- Up to 5 healthy non-specimen trees per year
- Trees under 2 inches caliper
How does the DeKalb permit process work?
- Get an arborist assessment. An ISA Certified Arborist prepares a health and risk assessment of the tree. That document is what substantiates a dead, diseased, or hazardous claim.
- Submit the Notice of Tree Removal. The Notice of Tree Removal form goes to the County Arborist together with the arborist assessment.
- Allow up to 5 working days. County review takes up to five working days. Plan the work around that window rather than booking a crew first.
- Remove within 60 days. An approved removal has to be carried out within 60 days. Past that point the approval lapses.
What this means before any work is booked
The sequence matters more than most homeowners expect. The assessment comes before the notice, the notice comes before approval, and approval comes before the saw. A crew booked ahead of that sequence is a crew waiting on paperwork.
Measure DBH before assuming an exemption applies. A tree that looks moderate can sit above the specimen threshold, and the five-tree allowance counts across the whole calendar year rather than per project.
Related conditions in DeKalb County
Sources
- DeKalb County Homeowner Guide for Tree Removal: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning-sustainability/homeowner-guide-tree-removal