Permits required for tree removal

(April 9, 2021) Ocean Pines is reminding homeowners of the formal process for removing trees within the Association.   

General Manager John Viola asked that all homeowners follow these steps, to ensure the safe and proper removal of trees within Ocean Pines’ guidelines.   

Before removing any tree more than 6 inches in diameter, homeowners must first fill out a “Request for Tree Removal” form and return it to the Compliance, Permit and Inspections (CPI) Department.   

To obtain a form, contact the CPI Department at 410-641-7425 or visit /documents/20124/123453/application%20for%20tree%20removal.pdf.  

 Any tree submitted for review should be clearly marked with string or another identifier, so CPI inspectors can easily find it.   

 All trees must meet the following criteria to receive Association approval to be removed:  

1. Be within 3 feet of the driveway   
2. Be within 10 feet of the foundation or deck  
3. Be within 15 feet of the bulkhead (NOTE: any tree within 100 feet of a waterway requires Worcester County approval. Contact the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Management office at 410-632-1200)   
4. Dead, dying or diseased; dangerous; or storm damaged   

The Association will not approve tree removal:   

1. If it does not meet the above criteria  
2. If the tree is a magnolia, holly, bayberry or laurel tree, because these are protected plants  
   1. The Association will grant approval to remove a protected tree ONLY if it is dead, dying or diseased; or if it is causing danger because of leaning or impairment of vision for drivers  
3. If the tree is solely being removed to put in a shed or a fence  
4. If the tree is being removed simply because the owner does not want the tree  

CPI will take the following steps when approving a tree for removal:  

1. Check to see if the tree meets the above criteria  
2. Once the criteria is determined, the tree will be marked with orange spray paint  
3. A green permit will be given to the homeowner with specific information on how many trees have been approved for removal  
   1. The homeowner must display the permit somewhere on the front of the home (such as a window, door, etc.) before and during the tree removal process  

If a homeowner removes a tree without a permit:  

1. Any tree removed must be replaced by tree(s) approved by the CPI Department per the Worcester County Mitigation Plan:  
   1. For every large tree removed without a permit, 200 points must be planted back, based on the county’s “mitigation credit for native plant” scale  
   2. For every small tree removed without a permit, 100 points must be planted back, based on the county’s “mitigation credit for native plant” scale  

For questions, or to report a tree that was removed without a permit, contact the CPI Department at 410-641-7425.