Tree rules in Columbus, GA

Three sets of rules touch a tree job in Columbus: the city's tree ordinance, Georgia's utility-locating law, and the electric utility's own lines. Georgia itself has very little to say about who does the work. Here's what each publishes, and where we couldn't confirm something, what to ask.

The city's tree ordinance

Columbus adopted its Tree Preservation and Replacement Ordinance (No. 02-43) in 2002. Its stated purpose is to keep the most tree cover the city can sustain on public and private land. As adopted:

• Development sites: a tree protection and planting plan must be approved before a Site Development Permit or Residential Development Permit is issued.
• New home lots: every single-family lot of 7,500 square feet or more needs at least two trees, and smaller lots at least one.
• City trees: cutting, removing or disturbing the roots of a public tree needs a permit from the City Arborist. The 2002 text set the fee at $35 per permit, required one-for-one replacement of trees removed from city property, and prohibited topping any City tree.
• Nuisance trees: the City Arborist can declare a tree or shrub a nuisance.

The tree rules now sit in the Unified Development Ordinance. Amendment text introduced to Council on March 12, 2019 defines a "Public Protected Tree" as one with a trunk diameter (DBH) of 6 inches or more on government land or easements, including rights-of-way, parks and drainage easements. Those trees, trees planted under the city's beautification plan, and trees the Tree Board names Exceptional Specimen Trees may be cut only with the City Arborist's permission, or the Tree Board's if the Arborist says no. Trees posing imminent danger may be removed with approval from named officials. The page we found doesn't show the final adopted version, so confirm current fees and wording with the city.

Right-of-way trees

Columbus Public Works' Urban Forestry and Right-of-Way division plants, prunes and removes trees along city rights-of-way, removes stumps, and is among the first crews out after tornadoes, hurricanes, snow and ice. It removes a right-of-way tree when it is damaged to the point of being a danger to public safety or property. Requests go through 311.

Georgia 811

Georgia 811 says marking utility lines before mechanized digging is the law. For homeowners it asks for a ticket at least three business days ahead; the request expires after 30 calendar days; and once lines are marked there is an 18-inch tolerance zone on either side of each buried line's outer edge. Stump grinding and root removal count. See stump grinding.

Power lines

Georgia Power's FAQ says no one should climb trees in the vicinity of power lines, and that after storms it clears trees interfering with its lines while debris cleanup stays with the property owner. On its transmission rights-of-way, plantings with a published maximum height of 15 feet or less are allowed, with permission it can revoke; contact the company before planting there.

Who can do tree work in Georgia

The Georgia Recorder reported in December 2024 that tree care providers in Georgia face no specific licensing or registration requirements, and no state standards for training, equipment use or insurance. The same article cites a 2020 OSHA report finding the fatality rate for tree trimmers and pruners may be as high as 1 in 1,000. HB 882, a 2025 bill to license tree care operators, shows "House Second Readers" on April 2, 2025 as its latest action on LegiScan. So the checks fall to you: ask for current liability and workers' compensation certificates, and get the job terms in writing.

Outside Columbus

Fortson, Cataula and Hamilton are in Harris County, which has its own government; ask the county about tree or clearing rules there. Across the river, Phenix City is in Alabama, where Alabama 811 and Alabama law apply. See Phenix City.