Delray Beach Tree Removal Permit Guide

By the DelrayLandscaper editorial team · Updated October 21, 2026

Removing a tree in Delray Beach often requires a city permit. This guide summarizes the City of Delray Beach rules, with links to the official pages so you can confirm details before work starts.

When is a permit required?

Per the City's Landscape Review FAQ, removing a tree or palm measuring 4 inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH, 4½ feet above ground) requires a Tree/Scrub/Vegetation Removal application. The Land Development Regulations (LDR §4.6.19) make it unlawful to remove such a tree without a permit.

Who can apply?

Single-family (fee simple) homeowners may apply under their own name with an Owner-Builder Affidavit. The City indicates a licensed tree trimmer (approved by Palm Beach County and insured) or a Florida-licensed Certified Arborist should be shown as the person removing the tree. For multi-family, commercial and industrial properties, a licensed tree trimmer or Certified Arborist must submit the application.

What to submit

The tree(s) shown on a survey of the property
A professional tree survey if you are in a historic district or beach property owners district (and for multi-family/commercial)
Reason for removal, number of trees and contractor details on the application form

Removed trees may need to be replaced to meet LDR 4.6.16 minimums.

Fees and timing

The LDR fee schedule lists the Tree Removal Permit at $25 per tree, with no fee when a tree died of natural causes (disease, lethal yellowing, freeze, lightning, storms) or is a prohibited species, though inspection and permit requirements still apply. The application form notes permits expire if work doesn't start within 180 days, and a final inspection is required.

Tips before you hire

Ask the tree service to pull the permit and confirm their county license and insurance
Check whether replacement planting is required and budget for it
Plan removals and trimming before hurricane season

See our Delray Beach tree service comparison.

Companies that can help

Sherlock Tree Company

Delray Beach

5.03 Google reviews · Google Maps, checked 2026-10-21

1.01 Yelp reviews · Yelp

Tree care company with a Delray office: pruning, removal, stump grinding, planting, fertilization and disease management.

Sherlock Tree Company crew member in orange safety gear driving a John Deere Gator towing a trailer full of tree debris – Sherlock Tree Company — Team / crew · source

Sherlock Tree Company crew member in safety helmet pointing upward to assess a tree while a branded Altec bucket truck i – Sherlock Tree Company — Team / crew · source

Two Sherlock Tree Company arborists in orange safety helmets and gear coordinating a climbing rope handoff near a large – Sherlock Tree Company — Team / crew · source

Sherlock Tree Company Altec bucket truck with a yellow Vermeer wood chipper set up on a residential street in South Flor – Sherlock Tree Company — Truck / fleet · source

Photos from the Sherlock Tree Company website, credited per image.

Tree trimmingCommercial

Since1974 (52 yrs)
CredentialsTCIA-accredited; five ISA Certified Arborists (per company site)
Address231 NW 18th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444 (Delray office)
Phone954-788-4000

Ranking criteria

Value—

Quality of Service—

Professionalism—

Plant Knowledge—

Response Time—

Organization & Scheduling—

Crew Size—

Years in Business52

Social Media Followers68K

Total Reviews4

“—” = not yet scored or not publicly available. How we rank.

Visit website Call

Sources: [1]

CK's Tree Service

Delray Beach

5.0408 Google reviews · Google Maps, checked 2026-10-21

5.06 Yelp reviews · Yelp

Family-owned Delray Beach tree service: removal, trimming, stump grinding, land clearing and tree installation for residential and commercial clients.

Blue monster truck with promotional graphics parked outdoors. – CK's Tree Service — Photo · source

Photo photo – CK's Tree Service — Photo · source

Photos from the CK's Tree Service website, credited per image.

Tree trimmingCommercial

CredentialsArborist Lic. FL-9263A (per company site)
Address1730 S Federal Hwy #323, Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone(561) 445-3838

Ranking criteria

Value—

Quality of Service—

Professionalism—

Plant Knowledge—

Response Time—

Organization & Scheduling—

Crew Size—

Years in Business—

Social Media Followers277

Total Reviews414

“—” = not yet scored or not publicly available. How we rank.

Visit website Call

Sources: [1]

Delray Garden Center

Delray Beach

4.5432 Google reviews · Google Maps, checked 2026-10-21

4.067 Yelp reviews · Yelp

Family-run garden center and nursery on West Atlantic Avenue that has grown into a full landscape design, installation and maintenance firm. Handles residential estates as well as commercial properties, with hardscapes, lighting, irrigation and drainage swales in-house.

Finished landscape project (1216 Ridley) – Delray Garden Center — Project · source

Delray Garden Center team member in the nursery – Delray Garden Center — Team / crew · source

Aerial view of a completed landscape project – Delray Garden Center — Project · source

Landscape design by Delray Garden Center – Delray Garden Center — Project · source

Photos from the Delray Garden Center website, credited per image.

“Beautiful property which a very large selection of all types of plants, trees, and flowers. Staff extremely helpful.”Customer review via exa.ai place listing, Oct 2025

Landscape designInstallationMaintenanceEstate maintenanceHardscapes & paversOutdoor lightingIrrigationTree trimmingGarden center / nurseryCommercialLawn care

Since1989 (37 yrs)
Team60-person team (per company site)
CredentialsLicensed & insured Florida contractor; FNGLA-certified (per company site)
HoursMon–Sat 9–5, Sun 10–4
Address3827 W Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33445
Phone561-243-6869

Ranking criteria

Value—

Quality of Service—

Professionalism—

Plant Knowledge—

Response Time—

Organization & Scheduling—

Crew Size60-person team (per company site)

Years in Business37

Social Media Followers25.9K

Total Reviews499

“—” = not yet scored or not publicly available. How we rank.

Latest on Instagram

View this post on Instagram

Posts embedded from Instagram (collected 2026-10-21).

Visit website Call

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4]

Real Tree Trimming & Landscaping

Pompano Beach (serves Delray Beach)

4.9158 Google reviews · Google Maps, checked 2026-10-21

Tree trimming, removal, stump grinding, cabling, storm prep and commercial landscape maintenance in the Delray Beach area.

The Famous Delray Beach. Text by Real Tree Team - a tree company serving the Delray Beach area – Real Tree Trimming & Landscaping — Team / crew · source

Arborist from Real Tree Team in a bucket truck performing tree trimming in Delray Beach FL – Real Tree Trimming & Landscaping — Team / crew · source

Photo photo – Real Tree Trimming & Landscaping — Photo · source

Photos from the Real Tree Trimming & Landscaping website, credited per image.

Tree trimmingCommercial

CredentialsFL-10250A; ISA Certified Arborists (per company site)
AreaPompano Beach (serves Delray Beach)
Phone(954) 957-9540

Ranking criteria

Value—

Quality of Service—

Professionalism—

Plant Knowledge—

Response Time—

Organization & Scheduling—

Crew Size—

Years in Business—

Social Media Followers53

Total Reviews158

“—” = not yet scored or not publicly available. How we rank.

Visit website Call

Sources: [1]

Arbor Tree and Landscape

West Palm Beach (serves Delray Beach)

4.825 Google reviews · Google Maps, checked 2026-10-21

5.01 Yelp reviews · Yelp

West Palm Beach tree service and landscaper covering Delray Beach: tree trimming and removal, palm and hedge work, landscaping and landscape design including lighting design.