The County’s current form requires a removal notice for more than five healthy trees.
Unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia · 2026 guide
DeKalb County tree protection, in plain language.
For unincorporated property, start with the five-tree and specimen-tree notice rules, then account for buffers, construction, and land disturbance.
Read the requirementsCurrent DeKalb County Section 14-39 processLast reviewed September 17, 2026
At a glance
Start with the property, the tree, and the proposed work.
A specimen-size tree is included in the County notice process even when the total tree count is lower.
Large hardwoods and softwoods in fair or better condition reach the listed specimen threshold at 30 inches DBH.
Dogwoods, redbuds, sourwoods, and similar small trees reach the listed specimen threshold at ten inches DBH.
What does the County mean by hardwood, softwood, and small tree?
These are ordinance groupings used to apply different specimen-size thresholds, not a field-identification shortcut. Confirm the species before deciding that a threshold applies.
Large hardwood
The County examples include oaks, hickories, and yellow poplars. Despite its common name, yellow poplar is treated here with the large-hardwood examples.
Large softwood
The County examples include pines, evergreens, and similar species. “Evergreen” and “softwood” are not interchangeable for every species, so use the County category rather than appearance alone.
Small tree
The County examples include dogwoods, redbuds, and sourwoods. This describes the species’ typical mature form, not simply a young or currently small tree.
Not sure which category applies? Record clear photographs and the tree’s leaves, needles, bark, branching, and fruit or cones when present. A qualified arborist or the reviewing jurisdiction can confirm the species and regulatory class.
01 / First question
Is the property inside DeKalb County?
This guide applies only to unincorporated DeKalb County. Atlanta, Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Tucker, Chamblee, and other incorporated municipalities administer their own rules. Use the property point, not the postal city, to identify the reviewer.
Best first step
Use the address lookup on the Tree Collective ordinance map, then confirm the result with the governing jurisdiction before beginning work.
Open the ordinance lookup02 / Permit paths
The condition of the tree and the reason for work shape the path.
More than five healthy trees
Submit the County removal notice.
DeKalb County’s current Notice of Tree Removal form is required for removal of more than five healthy trees. The approved form is valid for 60 days.
Specimen-size tree
The individual tree triggers review.
The County form calls out specimen trees separately and records species, DBH, condition, boundary status, targets, buffer status, and reason for removal.
Ten or more residential trees
Land disturbance may enter the process.
County homeowner guidance warns that clearing ten or more trees may be land-disturbing activity requiring a Land Disturbance Permit and pre-application coordination with the County Arborist.
Construction or renovation
Do not use the homeowner notice as the whole project plan.
When trees are removed or affected for structures, improvements, grading, or development, the County can require a survey, tree-protection plan, replacement plan, inspections, and related development approvals.
03 / Project record
Build one plan that connects trees and site work.
The County’s current plan-submittal guidance treats tree information as part of the development record. Depending on scope, include:
01
Tree survey with species, DBH, condition, and specimen status
02
Boundary trees and critical root zones
03
Trees proposed for preservation and removal
04
Limits of disturbance, grading, utilities, and access
05
Protection fencing and root-zone encroachment
06
Density, replacement, planting, and maintenance calculations
04 / Condition + risk
Condition, targets, and buffer status belong in the record.
The current removal form asks whether a tree is dead, a boundary tree, has a target in its drop zone, or lies in the 75-foot buffer. Tree Collective can map each tree and prepare a TRAQ-informed assessment where risk is material; County approval and buffer determinations remain with DeKalb County.
05 / Conservation + replacement
Specimen preservation and replacement shape development review.
Section 14-39 regulates preservation, protection, and replacement during land development. Specimen trees and saved-tree impacts receive closer review than an ordinary maintenance removal.
Use the current County plan-submittal guide and approved plan for density, replacement, critical-root-zone impacts, maintenance, and inspection obligations. Overlay districts, stream buffers, zoning conditions, and private restrictions can add requirements.
06 / Professional support
Coordinate with the County Arborist before clearing or design is fixed.
A consulting arborist can collect the tree points, identify specimen and boundary trees, document condition and risk, calculate root-zone impacts, and coordinate the tree plan with the civil set. The County Arborist reviews the application and determines what is accepted.
Official applications + sources
Go directly to DeKalb County.
Official source
2026 removal form
Current County notice form, specimen thresholds, tree fields, and applicant requirements.
Open source+Official sourceTree plan guide
Current County guidance for surveys, protection, replacement, and plan review.
Open source+Official sourceLand Development code
Current Chapter 14, including Section 14-39 tree protection and related buffer requirements.
Open source+Official sourceHomeowner removal form
County homeowner guidance for removal counts and possible land-disturbance review.
Open source+Source review
Reviewed September 17, 2026.
Reviewed against DeKalb County’s current 2026 removal form and tree-plan guide, current Chapter 14 code, and homeowner removal guidance. Confirm municipality, buffer status, and the current submission route with the County Arborist.
This is practical educational information, not a permit decision or legal advice. Requirements can change and may depend on site conditions, project scope, administrative standards, and staff findings.
Tree Collective consulting
Bring the tree question into focus.
Tree Collective can help interpret ordinance requirements, inventory trees, assess condition and risk, review construction impacts, prepare tree protection plans and arboricultural prescriptions, and organize permit documentation for the project team.
Tree Collective does not issue permits, control municipal decisions, or act on behalf of the City.