Removal can require permission
This is the trade where the city rather than FEMA holds the relevant answer. Municipal tree protection can require a permit or arborist assessment before removal, and can attach replacement obligations, particularly for larger specimens or protected species. Clearwater Planning and Development administers it. Removing first and asking afterward is the expensive order to do this in.
Official sources
Confirm protection status before any removal
Citywide guidance cannot tell you whether your specific tree is protected, whether replacement is required, or whether the tree is genuinely a hazard. Confirm the first two with the city and the third with an arborist who is not quoting the removal.
Research date
Sources reviewed June 22, 2026. External requirements and maps can change.