Updated October 17, 2026. This is general information from public pages, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the city, the county or your community association before you cut.
After Hurricane Isaias, a lot of Destin yards have a tree that needs to go. Whether you need a permit to take it down depends on where the lot sits, what kind of property it is and the condition of the tree. Here is what the official pages say, and where they stop.
What the City of Destin says
The city's Tree Removal Information and Permitting page is short. It sends you to the city's Land Development Code on Municode "for current regulations regarding the removal of trees," and lists the Building Division as the contact: (850) 654-1119, option 2, at the City Hall Annex, 4100 Indian Bayou Trail, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
We tried to read the tree section of that code and could not load it, so this guide does not quote a trunk size, a species list or a fee. If anyone tells you a flat rule for Destin, ask them which section of the code it comes from.
Unincorporated Okaloosa and Walton
If your address is outside the city limits, the county sets the rules. Miramar Beach and Santa Rosa Beach are in unincorporated Walton County.
- Walton County: the Land Development Code page says the code is published on Municode and warns that the online version can lag behind amendments. It tells readers to verify provisions with Walton County Planning and Development Services before relying on them.
- Okaloosa County: the county's permitting page says applications now go through its online portal, with questions going to gmbuildingpermitting@myokaloosa.com. That page does not mention trees, and we did not find a published tree removal rule on the pages we could open, so ask before you assume.
If your address is inside a city, start with that city instead of the county.
The Florida hazard-tree law
State law puts a limit on what a city or county can require. Under Florida Statute 163.045, a local government may not require a notice, application, approval, permit, fee or mitigation to prune, trim or remove a tree on residential property if the owner has documentation that the tree poses an unacceptable risk to persons or property. The statute also says it cannot make you replant the tree.
The details matter:
- Residential property here means a single-family, detached building on a lot actively used for single-family residential purposes. A condo, a townhome or a rental building may not fit.
- Documentation means an onsite assessment, following the ISA tree risk assessment procedures the statute names, signed by an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or by a landscape architect holding a Florida license. Photos alone do not meet that definition.
- Unacceptable risk means removal is the only practical way to bring the tree's risk below moderate.
- The statute does not apply to mangrove protection.
So a storm-damaged tree that is a real hazard may not need a city permit, but only if you have that signed assessment in hand before the saw starts. If you are not sure the tree qualifies, call the Building Division first.
Trees the storm already knocked down
We did not find a published rule on whether a tree that Isaias already toppled needs a permit to cut up and remove. Do not assume it does or does not. The Building Division number above is the fastest way to find out.
The city's debris plan does cover some storm-damaged trees. The City of Destin's hurricane debris notice says its debris contractor "will also address eligible hazardous leaning trees and hanging limbs as part of the recovery effort." The notice does not define "eligible," so ask Public Works at 850-837-6869 before you pay anyone to cut a tree the city may handle. Our guide to debris pickup rules across Okaloosa and Walton has the rest of the collection details.
Check with your HOA or community association
Neighborhood covenants can cover trees, separate from anything the city requires. Read your documents or call the management company before you cut, and get the answer in writing. In gated Okaloosa communities, the HOA also has to file a signed Right of Entry for county debris crews to come inside the gate.
Photograph the tree and the damage first
Before anyone cuts, take photos from several angles: the whole tree, the base, any cracks or heaved soil, and whatever the tree hit. Keep the date on them. They help with an insurance claim, with an HOA request and with any conversation with the city. Take them from the ground and stay out from under the tree.
If a wire is involved
Do not touch or cut anything near a power line. Okaloosa County's emergency page warns residents not to cut trees resting on power lines and to treat downed lines as dangerous. Call your electric utility first.
What to do next
If a tree is down or hanging over your house in Destin, call Josh at (850) 888-5603. Tell him what the city, the county or your HOA told you about that tree. For prices, read what affects the cost of storm tree removal in Destin. Our Destin tree service guide, the Destin service area page and the Destin storm cleanup page cover where the crew is working.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Destin?
It depends on the tree and the lot. The city points to its Land Development Code and the Building Division at (850) 654-1119, option 2. State law bars local governments from requiring a permit when a tree on single-family residential property has a signed risk assessment showing unacceptable risk.
Does a hurricane-damaged tree need a permit?
We did not find a published rule either way. The City of Destin says its debris contractor will address eligible hazardous leaning trees and hanging limbs, so ask the city before paying for removal.
Who do I call in unincorporated Okaloosa or Walton County?
Okaloosa County permitting takes questions at gmbuildingpermitting@myokaloosa.com. Walton County tells residents to verify code provisions with Planning and Development Services.
Do I need my HOA's approval to take down a tree?
Check your covenants. Community covenants can add their own tree rules on top of the city's or county's.
Need a tree down in Destin after Isaias? Call Josh at (850) 888-5603.