Areas We Cover Around Savannah

Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · General information, not legal advice · Sources at the bottom

Historic District

Jurisdiction: City of Savannah

Downtown's squares and lanes are lined with City-owned street and square trees. Anything on the right-of-way needs written City approval. Tight lane access often means climbing and hand-lowering rather than big equipment.

Lots with an existing single-family home or duplex are exempt from the City permit rules. Right-of-way trees need written City approval.³ Street tree problems: 311 or (912) 351-3434 after hours.⁴ City of Savannah rules

Request a referral in Historic District

Midtown

Jurisdiction: City of Savannah

Older lots with mature oaks and street-tree lawns. Lots with an existing single-family home or duplex are exempt from the City's tree permit rules. Street trees are not.

Lots with an existing single-family home or duplex are exempt from the City permit rules. Right-of-way trees need written City approval.³ Street tree problems: 311 or (912) 351-3434 after hours.⁴ City of Savannah rules

Request a referral in Midtown

Ardsley Park

Jurisdiction: City of Savannah

Known for large oaks along its streets. Many of the biggest trees sit on the City right-of-way, so check ownership before any trimming.

Lots with an existing single-family home or duplex are exempt from the City permit rules. Right-of-way trees need written City approval.³ Street tree problems: 311 or (912) 351-3434 after hours.⁴ City of Savannah rules

Request a referral in Ardsley Park

Southside

Jurisdiction: Mostly City of Savannah (confirm your parcel)

Southside Savannah is largely within the City, but some addresses near the edges are unincorporated Chatham County. Check your property record.

Lots with an existing single-family home or duplex are exempt from the City permit rules. Right-of-way trees need written City approval.³ Street tree problems: 311 or (912) 351-3434 after hours.⁴ City of Savannah rules

Request a referral in Southside

Isle of Hope

Jurisdiction: Unincorporated Chatham County (confirm your parcel)

Waterfront lots with large live oaks. Chatham County's Land Disturbing Activity Ordinance applies to clearing. Older recorded single-family lots are exempt from its tree provisions.

Older recorded single-family lots are exempt from the LDAO tree provisions. Clearing may need County review.⁵ Trees blocking County roads: My Chatham.⁶ Chatham County rules

Request a referral in Isle of Hope

Skidaway Island

Jurisdiction: Unincorporated Chatham County (confirm your parcel)

Heavily wooded. Gated communities and HOAs often have their own tree approval rules on top of County rules.

Older recorded single-family lots are exempt from the LDAO tree provisions. Clearing may need County review.⁵ Trees blocking County roads: My Chatham.⁶ Chatham County rules

Request a referral in Skidaway Island

Wilmington Island

Jurisdiction: Unincorporated Chatham County (confirm your parcel)

Marsh-front and wooded lots. Report trees blocking County roads through My Chatham.

Older recorded single-family lots are exempt from the LDAO tree provisions. Clearing may need County review.⁵ Trees blocking County roads: My Chatham.⁶ Chatham County rules

Request a referral in Wilmington Island

Whitemarsh Island

Jurisdiction: Unincorporated Chatham County (confirm your parcel)

Same County rules as Wilmington Island. Waterfront lots may also involve marsh buffers.

Older recorded single-family lots are exempt from the LDAO tree provisions. Clearing may need County review.⁵ Trees blocking County roads: My Chatham.⁶ Chatham County rules

Request a referral in Whitemarsh Island

Tybee Island

Jurisdiction: City of Tybee Island

A permit is required before removing a tree. Pruning doesn't need one. Lots must keep 1 tree per 1,500 sq ft.

Permit required to remove a tree. Planning and Zoning 912-472-5030.⁷ Tybee rules

Request a referral in Tybee Island

Thunderbolt

Jurisdiction: Town of Thunderbolt

The Town has its own tree ordinance and permit application. Contractors need a permit and insurance.

Town Hall (912) 354-5533.⁸ Thunderbolt rules

Request a referral in Thunderbolt

Georgetown

Jurisdiction: Mostly unincorporated Chatham County (confirm your parcel)

Georgetown is largely unincorporated, but some nearby parcels are inside the City of Savannah. Check your property record before assuming which rules apply.

Older recorded single-family lots are exempt from the LDAO tree provisions. Clearing may need County review.⁵ Trees blocking County roads: My Chatham.⁶ Chatham County rules

Request a referral in Georgetown

Pooler

Jurisdiction: City of Pooler

Pooler has a tree removal permit. Trees 24"+ DBH and live oaks 18"+ DBH are "significant trees."

Planning and Development (912) 748-7261.⁹ Pooler rules

Request a referral in Pooler

Richmond Hill

Jurisdiction: City of Richmond Hill (Bryan County)

Trees 16"+ DBH are protected and need a permit. Even ordinary pruning is supposed to be done by a certified arborist.

Apply 3+ business days ahead. Permits valid 60 days.¹⁰ City Hall 912-756-3345.¹¹ Richmond Hill rules

Request a referral in Richmond Hill

Port Wentworth

Jurisdiction: City of Port Wentworth

Tree preservation rules apply to non-residential and multi-family development. Confirm single-family requirements with the City.

Development Services (912) 999-2084.¹² Port Wentworth rules

Request a referral in Port Wentworth

Garden City

Jurisdiction: City of Garden City

A tree removal permit is required to remove any tree. Contractors must be licensed, bonded and insured.

No permit needed to prune. Specimen trees always need a permit.¹³ Garden City rules

Request a referral in Garden City

Services in every area

Tree removal, Emergency tree removal, Storm damage cleanup, Tree trimming and pruning, Stump grinding, Hazard tree assessment, Live oak pruning, Palm tree trimming, Crane-assisted tree removal, Lot and land clearing

Sources

1. Chatham County Board of Assessors (property records). boa.chathamcountyga.gov
2. SAGIS, Savannah Area Geographic Information System (maps and jurisdiction layers). www.sagis.org
3. City of Savannah, Landscape and Tree Protection Ordinance (approved March 16, 2017, PDF). www.savannahga.gov
4. City of Savannah, Urban Forestry (311 and 24-hour dispatch for right-of-way trees). savannahga.gov
5. Chatham County Land Disturbing Activity Ordinance, Sec. 24-204 (rev. 11-17-23, PDF). cdn.chathamcountyga.gov
6. Chatham County, How to report fallen trees and yard debris (Hurricane Helene guidance). www.chathamcountyga.gov
7. City of Tybee Island FAQ: tree removal permits. www.cityoftybee.org
8. Town of Thunderbolt, Inspections Department: building permits and applications. www.thunderboltga.org
9. City of Pooler, Tree Removal Permit form (2024, PDF). www.pooler-ga.gov
10. City of Richmond Hill Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 15.6 Tree Protection (PDF). www.richmondhill-ga.gov
11. City of Richmond Hill, Projects, Applications and Forms. www.richmondhill-ga.gov
12. City of Port Wentworth (department contacts). portwentworthga.gov
13. Garden City zoning code Ch. 90 Art. VIII, text copy (Zoneomics). www.zoneomics.com