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Natural Resources

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1. Can I remove a tree in a residential neighborhood?

It depends on whether you live in a neighborhood with an HOA or not.

ANSWER (a): If you live in a neighborhood with a Home Owners Association, you do not need Town approval, only Home Owners Association approval. The only exception is if it is a street tree or a tree located on an undeveloped lot, then you will need Town approval. First contact to the Town with a Pre-application conference and then a formal application made to the town by the Home Owners Association. If the property is not part of a developed subdivision, or received site plan approval with conditions related to vegetation removal, please contact Natural Resources for more information.

ANSWER (b): If you do not live in a neighborhood with a Home Owners Association or live in an older neighborhood (see list below), you do not need town approval to remove a tree if it is located on a developed lot. These older neighborhoods are exempt since there were not approvals that required a minimum amount of landscaping. If the property is not part of a developed subdivision, or received site plan approval with conditions related to vegetation removal, please contact Natural Resources for more information.

These older neighborhoods are: Pine Gardens North, Pine Gardens South, East View Manor,
Jupiter River Estates, Penn Park, Brentwood North, Brentwood South, Riverside Drive Park, Olympus, North Palm Beach Heights, Most streets north/south of Center Street.

2. Can I remove mangroves?

No removal is permitted from the town unless you first receive a State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection permit and provide it to and gain approval from the town. State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection # is 561-681-6600.

3. I want to trim mangroves on my property. Do I need to hire a certified mangrove trimmer, or can I trim the mangroves?

You will need a permit from State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection or a certified mangrove trimmer to trim mangroves. This is regulated by State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Contact them at their local # in WPB at 561-681-6600.

4. I want to hire a tree/landscape company - Do you have anyone you can recommend?

Town policy does not allow us to recommend any companies, however, check in the local yellow pages.

5. I want to hire a tree/landscape business. Are they registered with the town?

You can contact business registration at 561-741-2319 and they can help research and verify any business registered with the town.

6. Who do I contact if I have a question about trees or landscape in the medians or along the Right Of Way?

Please contact the Public Works Department at 561-741-2730 as they deal with these issues.

7. My neighbors tree/landscape is coming into my yard. I want the town to do something about it?

This is a private and civil matter between property owners. Please discuss this with your neighbor.

8. My neighbors tree roots or yard clippings are coming into my yard - can the town do something about this?

This is a private and civil matter between property owners. Please discuss this with your neighbor.

9. There is a dead tree on my property – Will the town remove it? Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree?

If it is on your property, it is the property owners' responsibility to remove it, since it is on private property. You do not need a permit to remove a dead tree. Depending upon where you live, you may need to replace it.

10. There is a dead tree in the Right of Way or alley way - who do I call about removal?

Please contact the Public Works Department at 561-741-2730 as they deal with these issues.

11. There is a dead tree in my neighbors' yard - I am afraid it will fall on my house, what can I do?

Please contact Code Compliance at 561-741-2477 as they deal with these issues.

12. I want to remove a tree or modify landscaping on a commercial property - do I need permission?

These properties require a Vegetation Removal permit for Commercial, Multi-family and Industrial. If modifying landscaping - say a few plant switch outs with other plants, then a zoning determination letter requesting the changes. If they are doing a significant amount of change in the landscaping, they will need to submit a new landscape plan with a site plan amendment fee and a letter of request. Contact Planning & Zoning at 741-2323.

13. Who trims the Seagrapes along the beach?

Work is done according to approved State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection permits. This work is done through Public Works at 741-2730 - They oversee this work.

14. Who is in charge of the Indiantown Road roadway project or Indiantown road landscape medians?

Indiantown Road is a State owned road. Construction and maintenance is done by the Florida Department of Transportation who is doing the work. Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation at 561-641-6440 Trish Burgher.

15. Do I need a permit to build a dock or boatlift on my property?

Prior to submitting a building permit application, you must have a pre-application meeting with Natural Resources or Planning staff. Docks and boatlifts must comply with all code provisions in Section 27-1399 of the Jupiter Town Code. Additional Marine facilities regulations can be found in Division 17 of the Jupiter Town Code. Docks and boatlifts must meet setback requirements for the specific zoning district, must not be a vacant property (dock is accessory use to primary structure), and must meet specific maximum distances out from shoreline. Please contact 561-741-2323 to schedule a preapplication meeting or if you have questions.

16. Can I build a seawall?

Prior to submitting a building permit application, you must have a pre-application meeting with Natural Resources or Planning staff. Seawalls must comply with all code provisions in Section 27-1397 of the Jupiter Town Code. Additional Marine facilities regulations can be found in Division 17 of the Jupiter town code. Seawalls may only be built that meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) Must have an existing permitted seawall and new seawall is replacing it within 1 foot of the old seawall (we are strict to this rule); 2) Neighbors on either side of subject property currently have existing seawall so subject property may tie in to both seawalls. If they do not meet either of these criteria, then they may construct an upland retaining wall that is a minimum of 5 feet upland of the mean high water line as determined by a certified survey or they may install rip rap. All of these options require permits from the Town of Jupiter, State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the USACOE.

17. If a tree/landscape is on my property line we don't know who owns it - can the town to come and tell us?

That is a private property matter and civil matter.

18. What are the lighting regulations on the beach to protect the seaturtle nesting?

Palm Beach County ERM regulates the sea turtle lighting you can contact them at 561-233-2400.

19. What are the current water restrictions?

SFWMD is in charge of the restrictions - you can go to their website at SFWMD.gov or you can call them 561-682-6060.

20. Someone is cutting a tree down or removing landscaping - who do I call to report it?

Please contact Code Compliance at 561-741-2477 as they deal with these issues

21. Do I need a "Clearing" or "Vegetation Removal" permit to clear or remove exotic and/or prohibited plant species from my property?

Yes, Jupiter Town Code requires a permit in order to verify the exotic and/or prohibited plants to be removed. This verifies the exotics that may be removed, as well as any potential native trees and vegetation that are protected and need to remain on-site.