Tree Protection

No person shall cut, destroy, cause to be destroyed, move or remove any tree within the Town limits of Hilton Head Island without first obtaining a tree protection approval as required below.

How to apply for Tree Protection Approval

Complete the following forms:

• Master Application
• Tree Protection Approval Application

Complete applications must be submitted at least 45 days before the Board of Zoning meeting.

1. An application form as published by the Administrator and appropriate fee as required by Section 16-3-105 of the LMO.
2. A complete tree survey, as described in Section 16-3-405 of the LMO;
3. A brief written narrative of proposed plans for tree protection and replacement;
4. A complete tree tally sheet listing trees by category (See Section 16-6-405 of the LMO).
5. A complete site development plan showing utility lines, grading activities, and building elevations in relation to existing trees and denoting trees to be removed with an "X";
6. Replacement or supplemental tree planting schedule, if required.
7. Persons applying for minor construction or alteration to existing development may submit a sketch of the trees on the site and the proposed building in lieu of numbers 2, 4, 5, and 6 above. Tree planting requirements for this activity shall be based on the size and species of trees removed.
8. Public projects shall submit items 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. A count of the number of trees removed in each Category that are 12 inches in DBH or greater shall be submitted in lieu of item 4. Tree planting requirements will be based on this count at the replacement rate of one tree for every ten inches in DBH removed or an appropriate amount as determined by the administrator. Size of trees shall be as required in Section 16-6-406.E of the LMO.

Schedule an application check-in meeting with the Planning Department to submit application and discuss your project.

Exceptions

• During an emergency such as a hurricane, tornado, ice or wind storm, flood or any other such act of nature; or
• If the failure to remove a tree would constitute an imminent danger to the environment, property, public health, safety or welfare due to the hazardous or dangerous condition of such tree. Such removal shall be reported to the Administrator within 3 days.
• For necessary tree removal by a utility company consistent with plans submitted periodically, but not less than annually, to the Administrator for approval pursuant to Chapter 5, Article XVII in the LMO. Such plans shall include appropriate provision for removal of any felled trees.
• For the transplanting of trees, or for routine or seasonal pruning (see the LMO, Section 16-5-810 for restrictions on limbing trees in designated buffers) provided that pruning is done according to guidelines of the International Society of Arboriculture. Removal of more than 30 percent of the leaf surface at any one time shall be considered tree removal, and shall be treated as such.
• For topping of trees for the maintenance of the slope approaches to Hilton Head Island Airport referenced in Chapter 4, Article IV of the LMO, on airport property only.
• Reasonable tree planting may be required by the Administrator in the above situations.

Approval Letter for Proposed Removal of Trees

An approval letter is required for any development Exempt from Approval as defined in the LMO, Section 16-3-302.A., C., D., H. and I., or any non-development activity, which involves removal, destruction or damage of any tree. The request for an approval letter shall be submitted to the Administrator and, unless waived by the Administrator, shall be in the form of a brief written narrative stating the reason for the proposed work and either a site sketch or photograph of the tree proposed to be removed, identifying such tree by DBH, species and category. The Administrator, consistent with the purposes of this Title, shall advise the applicant as soon as possible whether such proposed tree removal has been approved and whether tree planting will be required.

Tree Survey

• The tree survey shall be in the form of a map or a site plan prepared and sealed by a registered land surveyor within 2 years of the date of application. The survey shall be at the same scale as the required site development plan and shall include the following information:
  • The location of all trees 6 inches DBH or greater within the areas to be modified and 25 feet beyond in each direction or to the property line, whichever is less;
  • Any trees less than 6 inches DBH which the applicant wishes to count toward the minimum standard of tree coverage on the site; and
  • The species and DBH of all trees.
• Road rights-of-way, single family subdivisions, and golf courses shall be exempt from the minimum standard of tree coverage, as described in Section 16-6-404 of the LMO. The applicant shall, however, make all reasonable efforts to save significant trees and stands of trees. In these cases, at the discretion of the Administrator, a recent aerial photograph or a centerline field inspection may relieve the applicant of the tree survey requirement.

• Following review of a completed tree protection approval application and tree survey inspection, the Administrator shall either approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove the application.
• Tree approval does not authorize any tree removal or development activity until such time as development plan approval is granted.
  

Expiration of Approval

• A tree protection approval shall expire at the time of expiration of the associated site development plan.
• Where development plan approval is not required, the applicant shall have one year to complete the approved activity.