Land clearing and tree removal in Belleview, FL

Belleview is one of Marion County's five incorporated municipalities, a small city of 5,413 people at the 2020 census covering about 4 square miles, roughly 10 miles from Ocala on the US 27/301/441 corridor. It was incorporated in 1885. Because it's a city, Belleview writes its own land development regulations, and its tree rules are different from both the City of Ocala's and the county's.

Belleview's tree ordinance, in plain English

The city's land development regulations include an article titled the "City of Belleview Tree Ordinance" (Chapter 114, Article III, adopted by Ordinance 2017-06). Here's what the text we read says:

• What it covers. It applies to development: multifamily projects, all nonresidential development, residential subdivisions at the time of platting, and planned developments.
• Permit threshold. For development covered by the article, a tree removal permit is required to remove trees 6 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) or larger.
• Single-family homes. Single-family homes are exempt from the article unless a planned development or subdivision process requires otherwise.
• Other exemptions. Licensed nurseries, active commercial groves, and trees the city planner or public works director finds to be an imminent danger. In a declared emergency, the city commission can waive the article.
• Nuisance trees. No permit is needed to remove the species on the ordinance's nuisance list, Table 2(c). That list includes Australian pine, chinaberry, Chinese tallow, camphor tree, Chinese privet, black locust, common honeylocust, and mulberry (Broussonetia).

The exemption for single-family homes is not a blanket pass for every residential parcel. Lots in a planned development or a subdivision being platted can fall under the article, and the article says changes to existing development that remove trees 6 inches or larger bring its requirements back in. If you're not sure which category your property is in, ask the city before you clear.

Large shade trees get extra attention

On sites the ordinance covers, the existing tree plan has to identify all trees 24 inches DBH or larger and all shade trees from the ordinance's list (Table 2(b)) that are 6 inches or larger. That list includes live oak, laurel oak, southern red oak, magnolia, red maple, pecan, sweetgum, and bald cypress, among others. A tree professional has to assess the larger trees and recommend which to keep.

During construction, the ordinance calls for a protective marker or fence around every shade tree over 24 inches DBH and every protected tree. It has to sit no closer than half the radius of the drip line or 10 feet, whichever is more, and stay up until construction is done. Trees damaged badly enough that survival is questionable have to be replaced before a certificate of occupancy is issued. A clearing provider working a commercial or subdivision site in Belleview should plan their equipment paths around those markers.

The permit form and fee

The city's Forms and Applications page lists a Development Services Permit, which it says is used for things such as the removal of trees, with a $50 fee. Confirm the current form and fee with the city before you file.

We read the ordinance from the city's posted 2024 Land Development Regulations document. Its pages carry a "Draft Update August 4, 2023" header, so the city's adopted code controls if anything differs.

Practical notes for Belleview lots

Burning is rarely practical in town. The Florida Forest Service's setbacks for burning land clearing debris on residential land start at 300 feet from other occupied buildings, which few city lots can meet. Expect haul-off or chipping to be part of the price.

Utilities. Older neighborhoods have buried lines along streets and alleys. Florida law requires a Sunshine 811 notice at least two full business days before any digging, including stump removal.

Burrows. Gopher tortoise rules apply inside city limits too. FWC requires a permit before clearing within 25 feet of a potentially occupied burrow.

Outside city limits. Many addresses with a Belleview mailing address are actually in unincorporated Marion County, where the city ordinance doesn't apply. Check your parcel's jurisdiction before you assume either set of rules. Our service area page lists the other communities nearby.

For a rough budget, see the land clearing cost guide.

Sources, checked October 23, 2026: City of Belleview Land Development Regulations, Ch. 114 Art. III (Ord. 2017-06), from the city's posted 2024 LDR document; City of Belleview Forms and Applications page; U.S. Census 2020 population and city facts via Wikipedia; Florida Forest Service; FWC; Sunshine 811. This is a summary, not legal advice.