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Tampa Council Lowers Tree Permit Fees

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 5, 2009

TAMPA - The city council today voted to lower fees for tree pruning and removal, less than four months after approving an eight-fold increase.

The revised fees would reduce the cost of removing a "grand tree" – or live oaks that measure 34 inches or more in diameter – to $128 from $286 and from $286 to $99 for pruning. Next year, however, those fees will increase to $150 and $116 respectively.

The previous rates were part of a package of increases for residential and commercial building permits that the council signed off on last October. The changes were aimed at allowing the construction services division to become more self-sufficient. Roughly 65 percent of the building department's $12 million budget is funded by property taxes.

The increases ignited an outcry from arborists and tree companies who argued that they would hurt elderly and working-class families that have dangerous trees in their yards.

Reacting to those concerns, Mayor Pam Iorio asked the city's Growth Management and Development Services Department to submit revised fees to the council for approval.

Fees for removing grand trees not considered a hazard would remain $514 each.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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