There is no statewide tree removal permit in Georgia. You do not have to clear a residential tree with any state office before it comes down, which surprises people who expect a single, uniform rule. Georgia deliberately leaves this decision to local governments, so the real answer depends entirely on which city or county you live in.
Here is where it gets specific. State law does three things: it declines to require a state permit for typical residential removal, it allows municipalities and counties to write their own tree protection ordinances, and it recognizes trees as property assets, which is why unlawfully cutting a neighbor’s tree can lead to damages. Within that framework, local rules vary dramatically. Marietta lets most single-family homeowners remove trees on their own property without any permit at all. Alpharetta sits at the opposite end, requiring approval for the removal of nearly any tree within city limits. Atlanta is among the strictest, with rules tied to tree size and protected species.
So the practical question is not “does Georgia require a permit” but “does my city require one for this specific tree.” A few situations raise the odds that you will need approval even in a lighter-regulation area. Trees inside a zoning buffer, stream buffer, conservation area, or designated tree save area usually need a permit regardless of local leniency. Larger trees and protected “specimen” trees often trigger requirements on their own. Anything in a city right-of-way, an easement, or near the street edge typically needs city or county sign-off before it comes down.
Skipping this step is a real risk, not a technicality. Fines for unauthorized removal vary by municipality, and some metro Atlanta cities enforce significant penalties. The fastest way to be certain is one phone call to your local planning or building department before you schedule any work. Tell them the tree’s location and size, and they will tell you exactly what, if anything, you need.