AKA Tree Service, a company that serves metro Atlanta homeowners from offices in Norcross, Alpharetta, and Oakwood, is helping homeowners understand Atlanta’s updated tree ordinance and navigate the permit process before removing a tree.
Many homeowners aren’t sure what changed on January 1, 2026, or what they need in place before a removal. AKA’s arborists are sharing what they know about the new rules and offering hands-on help for residents who don’t know where to start.
What Changed in 2026
Atlanta City Council approved the first major rewrite of its Tree Protection Ordinance since 2001. Starting January 1, 2026, the tree removal fee called “recompense” rose to $140 per diameter inch of trunk.
Under the old rules, homeowners paid $100 per tree plus $30 per inch. Now, a 20-inch tree removed without a replacement carries $2,800 in recompense. Starting January 1, 2027, the rate will adjust each year for inflation.
Removing a tree without a permit is costly. Individual violations may cost up to a $500 fine for the first offense and $1,000 for each one after, plus a payment to cover tree replacement.
Dead Trees Need a Permit Too
Many homeowners assume a dead tree can come down without paperwork. In Atlanta, removing any dead, dying, or hazardous tree from private property requires a tree removal permit from the City of Atlanta Arborist Division.
The homeowner is responsible for getting that permit and paying any fees or fines. AKA Tree Service works regularly within regional jurisdictions, and its team can evaluate a homeowner’s trees and guide them through the application or arborist inspection process.
“Most calls we get about the ordinance start with one question: can I just take this tree down?” said Sam Youmans, General Manager of AKA Tree Service. “In Atlanta, the answer is usually only after obtaining a permit. Our arborists help homeowners sort that out first, so they’re not paying a fine on top of the removal.”
How an Arborist Helps Before Removal
Working with an ISA Certified Arborist gives homeowners a clearer picture before any cutting starts:
- Accurate trunk measurements. Recompense is calculated per diameter inch, so a measured trunk shows the likely fee before work is scheduled.
- Documentation for dead, dying, or hazardous trees. Clear photos and condition notes support the permit application. When the photos show enough detail, the city arborist can issue a permit without a site visit.
- Options that keep the tree. An arborist can assess whether pruning or cabling and bracing could keep a sound tree in place and avoid recompense entirely.
- Safe, insured removal once the permit is approved. AKA’s in-house crews handle every job, with no subcontractors on site.
Different Tree Removal Permit Rules: Decatur & Tucker
AKA Tree Service also serves homeowners in nearby Decatur and Tucker, where each city sets its own tree rules. Permits, fees, and replacement requirements there may differ from Atlanta’s, so a removal that’s straightforward in one city can require extra steps in the next. Homeowners looking for tree service in Decatur, GA, or tree service in Tucker, GA, can have an AKA arborist review local requirements, measure trunks, and document tree condition during a free on-site estimate, so they know what applies before any work is scheduled.
Homeowners with questions about permits can call (404) 860-2266 to schedule a free on-site estimate for tree removal in Atlanta, GA.
About AKA Tree Service
AKA Tree Service provides tree removal, tree trimming and pruning, plant health care, cabling and bracing, stump grinding, and 24/7 emergency tree service for residential and commercial properties across metro Atlanta and Nashville. The company’s team includes ISA Certified Arborists and follows ANSI A300 standards. AKA is fully insured, BBB accredited with an A+ rating, and completes every project with in-house crews. Offices are located in Norcross, Alpharetta, and Oakwood, Georgia, and Hermitage, Tennessee. Learn more at akatreeservice.com.
Media Contact:
AKA Tree Service
585 Langford Ln NW
Norcross, GA 300
(678) 839-9219
https://akatreeservice.com/
Published by: Randy Rohde