Florida’s Laws are Not Always Sunny: Lessons learned on state vs. city tree policy

Join us for a UCFS Learning Series webinar!

Every day, laws are passed all over the world that impact local municipalities. When Florida lawmakers passed Florida Statute 163.045 it created waves across the urban forestry community. Passed in 2021, this statute brought unforeseen challenges to the tree care industry, reshaping both its practices and ethical considerations. As originally written, the law stated:

“A local government may not require a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property if the owner obtains documentation from an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree presents a danger to persons or property.”

In this webinar we will to take an in depth look at how vague laws can lead to unforeseen outcomes and impacts on the urban canopy. From navigating regulatory compliance to grappling with ethical dilemmas, we’ll explore the multifaceted impact of how state policy has impacted local municipalities and other tree care professionals in Florida.

At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe and explain the unintended and negative impacts of state laws on local municipalities.
2. Identify and explain how laws can be improved with industry input.
3. Describe various ethical dilemmas experienced by arborists once laws go into effect.

ISA CEUs applied for and pending.

Click here to register today!