Trees for the BreezeGulf Breeze, Florida

What we’d like to see for Gulf Breeze’s trees

We live here, and we love our trees. Trees for the Breeze is a group of neighbors working to help Gulf Breeze save the trees it can, plant strong native trees, and keep a clear public record of how tree decisions are made.

Here is what we’d like the city to do. Some of these steps, like clearer reporting and planting on city land, could happen sooner. A 2025 state law limits stricter local land rules in our area until October 1, 2027, so some ideas may have to wait. That is a question for the City Attorney.

How Gulf Breeze protects trees today

Gulf Breeze protects trees 12 inches and up, measured 4½ feet above the ground. Removal needs a free city permit. (City of Gulf Breeze tree-removal page; Ord. 03-2022, Sec. 22-166.)

Our tree code says heritage trees, 48 inches and up, should be preserved unless removal is mitigated “as set forth below,” but no formula follows. When state law allows, we’d like the city to fill that gap. (Ord. 03-2022, Secs. 22-166 and 22-170(a).)

State law lets the owner of a single-family detached home remove a tree without a city permit if an ISA-certified arborist or a Florida licensed landscape architect does a signed, onsite risk assessment finding it an unacceptable risk. That’s the law, and we respect it. We just encourage neighbors to check the credential and keep the paperwork. (F.S. 163.045.)

What we’d like to see first

When protected trees come down in Gulf Breeze, the city sometimes collects tree mitigation money. The city keeps it in its own revenue account inside the Streets & Stormwater fund. City records show $41,000 credited to that account from December 2023 through May 2026. We give the city credit for tracking it in its own account. We’d like to see it go one step further: a dedicated tree fund line item, set aside for planting and caring for trees, with a short public report each year so any neighbor can follow what comes in and what goes out. (City general-ledger revenue report, account 201-0000-343.70-05, run November 3, 2026, provided in PRR #26-0283.)

Our code already lets replacement trees be planted on city property, parks, and rights-of-way, with the city manager’s approval. We’d like to see that used for a planting plan, starting where the storm hit hardest. (Ord. 03-2022, Sec. 22-193.)

We’d like tree-removal permits posted online, and a yearly tree report: permits issued, trees removed, replacement trees required and planted, and tree money in and out.

We’d like the city to consider letting a home shift a few feet, within limits, to save a protected tree. Pensacola already allows a small setback deviation for heritage trees. (Pensacola Land Development Code Sec. 12-3-132, adopted October 22, 2026, effective October 29, 2026.)

Before-and-after drawing of a house shifted 10 feet toward the street so a big live oak can stay. Illustration only, not a site plan. The 10-foot example is modeled on Winter Park’s rule.
Illustration only, not a site plan. The 10-foot example is modeled on Winter Park’s rule.

We’d also like the city to use public-tree programs and state forestry grants, and to consider a voluntary way for owners to register their big trees as heritage trees.

When state law allows

A 2025 state law limits stricter local land rules in our area until October 1, 2027. Filling in the heritage mitigation formula, and any tighter rules, may have to wait. Clearer reporting and planting could happen sooner. The City Attorney should confirm what is allowed now. (Laws of Florida ch. 2025-190, §28.)

We’d like the city to look again at a special magistrate for tree cases, as it discussed in 2025, and to ask its City Attorney what state law allows on fines.

What our neighbor Pensacola is considering

Our neighbor Pensacola is considering tree-rule changes, including inch-for-inch replacement and a $1,000 application fee to remove its biggest live oaks, at a public hearing and first reading on November 12, 2026. Nothing in that package has been adopted yet in this round. (Proposed Ordinance No. 16-26.)

Pensacola already has a Tree Planting Trust Fund in its code, with written priorities and public approval for larger spending. Its rules and its size are different from ours, so we’re watching, not copying.

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