Before scheduling a tree removal, most Smyrna and Cobb County homeowners want to know the same thing: do I need a permit? The answer depends on where exactly your property sits, how big the tree is, and whether your HOA has its own rules on top of the county’s. Most residential removals don’t require a permit. Some do. This guide breaks it down clearly so you know where you stand before anyone starts cutting.
The Short Answer: Does Georgia Require Tree Removal Permits?
Georgia has no statewide permit requirement for removing trees on private residential property. The rules come from your local jurisdiction.
For Smyrna and Cobb County homeowners, one of two systems applies: the City of Smyrna Tree Protection Ordinance (if your property is inside Smyrna city limits) or the Cobb County Tree Ordinance (if you’re in unincorporated Cobb County). They have different thresholds, and many homeowners don’t know which one applies to them.
Both ordinances use DBH, diameter at breast height, as the measure for whether a permit is needed. DBH is taken at 4.5 feet from the ground.
Permit Requirements at a Glance
Jurisdiction | Governing Body | Permit Required For | Key Exemptions | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unincorporated Cobb County | Cobb County Community Development | Hardwoods 6″+ DBH; Pines 12″+ DBH | Dead/hazardous trees (documented); trees already fallen | (770) 528-2035 |
City of Smyrna | City of Smyrna Community Development | Trees 6″+ DBH | Dead/hazardous trees (documented) | City of Smyrna Public Works |
Cobb County Tree Ordinance (Unincorporated Areas)
If your property falls outside city limits, the Cobb County ordinance is what governs removal.
Under that ordinance, these trees require a permit before they’re removed:
- Hardwood trees at 6 inches DBH or larger
- Pine trees at 12 inches DBH or larger
A hardwood at the 6-inch threshold has a trunk circumference of about 19 inches at 4.5 feet. If you’re not sure where your tree falls, we measure it at the free estimate.
Exempt trees include dead or hazardous trees with proper documentation, and trees that have already fallen. To ask about permit requirements or start an application, contact Cobb County Community Development at (770) 528-2035.
City of Smyrna Tree Removal Rules
If your property is inside Smyrna city limits, the City of Smyrna Tree Protection Ordinance applies instead.
Smyrna protects significant trees on private property. Trees at 6 inches DBH and larger may require a City of Smyrna tree removal permit. Requirements can be updated, so verify the current threshold with Smyrna’s Community Development department before scheduling any large removal.
Dead or hazardous trees are generally exempt here as well, when the condition is documented.
For a full breakdown covering Marietta, Vinings, Mableton, and Austell as well, see our full Cobb County permit guide.
HOA Rules vs. County Ordinances: Which One Applies?
Both can apply at the same time. The more restrictive rule governs.
Cobb County subdivisions from the 1980s and 1990s often carry HOA covenants with tree protections that go further than what the county or city requires. Common HOA restrictions include:
- Pre-approval required before any removal
- Replacement tree requirements after a removal
- Species-specific rules on oaks, large pines, or other protected trees
HOA approval and a county or city permit are separate processes. Getting one does not satisfy the other. Check your CC&Rs or contact your HOA board before scheduling the job. We’re familiar with what HOAs typically ask for and can help document the work in a way that makes that process easier.
What Trees Don’t Require a Permit?
Most smaller and problem trees don’t trigger the permit threshold. Typical exemptions in both Smyrna and unincorporated Cobb County:
- Trees below the DBH threshold
- Dead trees, when the condition is documented
- Hazardous trees posing an immediate safety risk, with documentation
- Trees that have already fallen from a storm or other cause
The dead and hazardous exemption is real, but documentation is what makes it hold. If there’s nothing in writing to establish the tree’s condition, you’re in a harder spot if the county or city asks.
What Happens If You Remove a Tree Without a Permit?
Skipping a required permit is not worth the risk. Consequences can include:
- Fines from Cobb County or the City of Smyrna
- Required replanting, sometimes multiple replacement trees per tree removed
- Complications at closing if an unpermitted removal surfaces during a property inspection or title search
A tree company that doesn’t raise the permit question at your estimate is not looking out for you. We cover permit requirements before we quote the job. No surprises after the fact.
How We Handle Permits for You
You don’t need to sort through county and city ordinances on your own. At the free estimate, we identify whether your tree triggers a permit requirement, explain the exemptions that may apply, and document the tree’s condition when a dead or hazardous exemption is the right path.
Not sure whether a permit applies to your situation? Call us at 470-994-5343 and we can walk through it before you commit to anything.
We serve Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, Austell, and Marietta. The estimate is free, and there’s no pressure to proceed.
470-994-5343 — available 24/7 for emergency calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to cut down trees on your own property in Georgia?
Georgia has no statewide law against removing trees on private property. Local ordinances in Cobb County and the City of Smyrna do require permits for trees above certain DBH thresholds. Removing a protected tree without a permit can result in fines and a replanting requirement from the county or city.
Can I just cut down a tree in my yard?
It depends on the tree’s size and your location. In unincorporated Cobb County, hardwoods at 6 inches DBH or larger and pines at 12 inches DBH or larger typically require a permit. In the City of Smyrna, trees at 6 inches DBH and larger may require one. Small trees and documented dead or hazardous trees are usually exempt. Call us at 470-994-5343 if you want a straight answer on your specific tree.
What can a homeowner do without a permit in Georgia?
Homeowners can remove trees below the DBH threshold without a county or city permit. Dead trees and documented hazardous trees are also typically exempt. HOA rules may impose additional restrictions beyond the county and city ordinances, so check your CC&Rs as well.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Cobb County?
In unincorporated Cobb County, permits are required for hardwood trees at 6 inches DBH or larger and pine trees at 12 inches DBH or larger. If your property is inside city limits, the city ordinance applies instead. Contact Cobb County Community Development at (770) 528-2035 to confirm your specific situation.
What happens if you cut down a tree without a permit?
Consequences can include fines from Cobb County or the City of Smyrna, required replanting of one or more replacement trees, and complications when selling your home if an unpermitted removal surfaces during inspection or title search.
Author Bio: Rudy Perez founded Tree Service Smyrna in 2020, building on years of family experience in the trade. The company is family owned and operated, fully insured with general liability and workers’ comp, and serves Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, Austell, and Marietta.
Sources
- Cobb County Community Development — cobbcounty.org (confirm current tree ordinance thresholds and permit application process)
- City of Smyrna Community Development — smyrnaga.gov (confirm current Tree Protection Ordinance thresholds and contact)
