ITP Tree Rules: Permits, Fees, and Safer Choices

Thinking about taking down a tree before you list or renovate your ITP home? Atlanta’s rules are strict, and a simple mistake can get expensive fast. You want to keep your property safe and your project on track, without surprise fines or delays. This guide breaks down when you need a permit, what fees to expect, recent rule updates, and safer choices that can save you money. Let’s dive in.

First confirm your jurisdiction

Not every ITP address is inside the City of Atlanta. Some properties fall within other municipalities or unincorporated Fulton County. Your first step is to confirm which government regulates your parcel.

• Use the City of Atlanta Property Information Viewer to verify your parcel’s jurisdiction and zoning before you act. Try the city’s viewer at the Property Information Viewer.
• If your home is inside the City of Atlanta, the Department of City Planning and the City Arborist enforce the Tree Protection Ordinance.

When you need a permit in Atlanta

If your parcel is inside the City of Atlanta, most tree work on private property is regulated. The safest move is to check before cutting.

Private property trees

• You need a permit to remove, destroy, or injure any tree that is 6 inches DBH or larger on private property. Even dead trees require a permit unless they qualify as an imminent hazard under the emergency rules. See the city’s guidance on tree removal permits.
• Pines are counted differently for some fee formulas, but the permit threshold still applies at 6 inches DBH for most species.

Public trees and the right of way

• Any tree on city property or in the public right of way requires a permit regardless of size. Contact the City’s Forestry Division. The tree removal permits page explains who to call.

Dead, dying, hazardous, and emergency removals

• If a tree poses an imminent hazard, you may remove it to protect life or property. You must document the condition with photos, notify the City Arborist, and complete an after-the-fact permit within five working days. The City outlines this process on the tree removal permits page.

Boundary trees and special cases

• Boundary trees often require consent from the neighboring owner. The ordinance also has rules for trees near foundations and similar situations. Review the code for details in Section 158-101.

How to apply and who to call

• Start with the City Arborist Division for an inspection and next steps. Many applications begin with a site visit. Contact information and process details are on the City’s tree removal permits page.
• Keep written records. Save photos, emails, permits, and invoices in one place.
• If you suspect unpermitted cutting, report it to the Arborist Division. The City investigates and can assess penalties.

Fees, fines, and the 2025 rewrite

Atlanta adopted significant updates to the Tree Protection Ordinance in June 2025. Some changes start in 2026.

What changed and when

• The City Council approved a major rewrite in mid-June 2025. Phase 2 takes effect January 1, 2026, with certain adjustments, such as annual inflation indexing, beginning January 1, 2027. See the City’s update on the TPO rewrite timing.

Recompense fees simplified

• Starting January 1, 2026, recompense is set at $140 per diameter inch when you remove trees instead of planting approved replacements on site. The City’s summary outlines the change to the recompense rate and incentives.
• Simple example: removing a single 20-inch tree with no planting credit could cost $2,800 in recompense. Site limits and caps apply mainly to development projects, but most homeowners should budget per-inch costs.

Fines for illegal removal

• The ordinance raises penalties for violations. Fines typically start at $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for later offenses, plus any recompense and required replacement. When the number of trees is unknown, an acreage-based penalty can apply, with a maximum of $200,000 per acre. See Section 158-34.

Incentives and assistance

• The City now incentivizes planting by offering credits for caliper inches planted, with a multiplier that makes planting more valuable than paying fees. The City also funds assistance through the Tree Trust Fund for low-income and senior homeowners with hazardous trees. Review the City’s recompense and incentives summary.

Safer choices before you cut

You have options that can reduce risk and costs.

• Get a professional assessment from an ISA Certified Arborist. Ask for a written evaluation and options like corrective pruning, cabling, or selective limb removal instead of full removal. The City’s commission explains how to vet providers in How to Hire a Tree Company.
• Consider transplanting smaller trees when feasible.
• Plant replacements to earn credit that may reduce or eliminate recompense, subject to City Arborist approval.

Good replacement trees

• The City encourages mid-canopy and overstory species suited to the Atlanta Piedmont. Examples include white oak, southern red oak, hickory, and tulip poplar. Review the City’s recommended list here: City of Atlanta Tree Planting List.

Species that do not count for credit

• Certain species are prohibited for replacement credit, such as mimosa, tree-of-heaven, Bradford pear, and Leyland cypress. See the prohibited list in Section 158-103.

Homeowner checklist

1. Confirm your property’s jurisdiction and zoning using the Property Information Viewer.
2. If the tree is 6 inches DBH or larger on private property, contact the City Arborist Division and start a permit application. For public trees, contact the Forestry Division. Use the City’s tree removal permits page for guidance.
3. For imminent hazards, document with photos, notify the City, and submit the after-the-fact permit within five working days.
4. Ask an ISA Certified Arborist for a written evaluation and discuss pruning or other fixes. If removing, plan approved replacements to reduce recompense.
5. Hire a reputable, properly insured tree company. Confirm who will secure the permit and follow City posting and inspection rules. Keep all permits and invoices.
6. Report suspected unpermitted cutting to the Arborist Division.

Final thoughts

Trees add value, shade, and character to ITP homes, but Atlanta’s rules require a careful approach. When you plan ahead, verify your jurisdiction, and use the permit process, you protect your investment and avoid costly surprises. If you are prepping a sale or improvement, it pays to time tree work smartly and choose replacement species that boost curb appeal and reduce fees.

If you want a step-by-step plan before you list or buy ITP, reach out. Our team can coordinate timing, connect you with trusted arborists, and help you maximize value. Connect with Christi Key to get started.

FAQs

Do I need a permit to remove a tree at my ITP home?

• If your property is inside the City of Atlanta, you need a permit for any private-property tree that is 6 inches DBH or larger, and any size on public land or the right of way, per the City’s tree removal permits guidance.

What are the new tree fees in Atlanta starting 2026?

• Beginning January 1, 2026, recompense is $140 per diameter inch when you remove trees instead of planting approved replacements, as summarized by the City’s recompense update.

What if I remove a hazardous tree in an emergency?

• Document the condition with photos, notify the City Arborist, and file for an after-the-fact permit within five working days using the City’s tree removal permits process.

How are boundary trees handled under Atlanta’s ordinance?

• Boundary trees often require co-owner consent and special review; see Section 158-101 for specifics and contact the City Arborist.

What are the penalties for cutting without a permit in Atlanta?

• Fines typically start at $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for later offenses, plus recompense and replacement, with a maximum penalty of $200,000 per acre in certain cases; see Section 158-34.