Vegetation Management at Outdoor Advertising
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. May I obtain a Vegetation Management Permit to remove trees in front of my business or my business’s sign?
- Vegetation Management Permits are only for legally permitted outdoor advertising signs according to O.C.G.A. sections 32-6-75.1 – 32-6-75.3. This permit is not available for on-premise signs or for “daylighting” businesses.
Q2. My sign structure has been permitted for 2 years. May I obtain a Vegetation Management Permit?
- No. Your sign must have been permitted through the Department for a period of 5 years or more to be eligible for a Vegetation Management Permit. According to O.C.G.A. Section 32-6-75.3, “…no owner of outdoor advertising signs erected after January 1, 1999, or such owner’s agent, will be eligible to make application for vegetation maintenance for a period of five years from the date a new sign is permitted.”
Q3. My sign structure is a V-type sign with stacked faces. I want to remove vegetation on both sides of my sign structure. How many applications am I required to submit?
- Two, if you want to remove vegetation on both sides of your V-type sign. An application for vegetation management is for a sign face direction, not the number of faces. In the policy, the 500 feet in front of each sign face direction is called a Sign Viewing Zone. In the case where a sign has two sides, as in V-type signs, each side is considered a separate Sign Viewing Zone and requires a separate permit.
Q4. Can I choose my own forester or certified arborist? If so, where do I find one?
- Yes, you may choose the forester or arborist, however, they must be an ISA certified Arborist or Georgia registered Forester. Websites for locating an ISA certified Arborist or Georgia registered Forester can be found by clicking on “Essential Links and Resources” on the Home Page for Vegetation Management at Outdoor Advertising Signs or you may check your local yellow pages.
Q5. How long does the application process take once I submit my application?
- The review processing time will vary , because every View Zone will vary. The best way to ensure efficient processing is to submit a complete application package, including all of the required attachments in numbered order. The GDOT will record the date your application was submitted for any first-come-first-serve issues.
Q6. How long is my vegetation management permit valid?
- Your permit is valid for one year. The vegetation removal will be performed during a 5 working day period in that year. The schedule for vegetation removal will be established at your pre-construction meeting with the area permit inspector.
Q7. If my application is declined, is there an appeals process?
- Yes. In certain circumstances a billboard owner may request a hearing to dispute a determination made by the Department regarding the permitting of Vegetation Management. A review of the hearing process can be found by clicking on “Essential Links and Resources” on the Home Page for Vegetation Management at Outdoor Advertising Signs, and then clicking on “Legal Services”.
Q8. Once my application is approved, when am I allowed to begin removing vegetation?
- Your notification of approval will include the contact name and number of the Area Permit Inspector. You will call the inspector to set up an onsite pre-construction meeting. Your inspector will issue you a Permit Placard at that meeting, provided that no outstanding issues/discrepancies are discovered during the pre-construction meeting. At this meeting you will also establish the schedule for vegetation removal.
Q9. Are there requirements/qualifications for the people hired to remove or prune the vegetation?
- Yes. For any Vegetation Management activity, an ISA certified arborist or GA registered forester is required to be on-site, providing guidance to any pruning or tree removal crew.
Q10. What am I allowed to do when I renew a Vegetation Management Permit?
- Tree removal may only take place during the initial, five working day Vegetation Management activity period. Renewal Vegetation Management activity may include mowing, chemical treatment of invasive plants, and removal of vegetation < 4 inches in diameter.
Q11. Once I finish removing the vegetation allowed by my permit, may I request to remove more vegetation in the future?
- Removal of vegetation greater than or equal to 4 inches in diameter is allowed only once. It occurs during the initial vegetation removal activities, according to the permit agreement. Renewing your Vegetation Management permit each year allows you to re-visit the site and maintain it by removing only vegetation less than 4 inches in diameter.
Q12. What does the GDOT do with the Vegetation Management at Outdoor Advertising Signs money applicants pay?
- The money goes to a roadside enhancement and beautification fund, and a council of environmental advocates and outdoor advertising association leaders (all appointed by the governor) provide recommendations for fund dispersal. The funds are required by law to be used for furtherance of roadside enhancement and beautification projects along public roads in Georgia. Contributions to the fund are encouraged by the Roadside Enhancement an Beautification Council. The sale of specialty wildflower motor vehicle license tags also adds to the fund, specifically to provide for the installation and maintenance of wildflower plots along Georgia’s public roads.
Q13. Why does the GDOT require stocking to be calculated for Vegetation Management permits?
- The stocking requirement was not mandated by the GDOT. It was legislated as part of the Georgia code governing Vegetation Management at Outdoor Advertising Signs. Only applicants who wish to remove Pine trees greater than or equal to 12 inches in diameter outside the Target Viewing Zone are required to calculate stocking amounts. All other applicants do NOT need to submit Attachment # 7 – Stocking Points Chart.
Q14. How do I know if I have an ESA in my View Zone?
- All ESAs are indicated with a sign containing the letters ESA. ESA stands for Environmentally Sensitive Area.
Q15. Will you accept personal checks for fee payments?
- The GDOT will only accept company checks, certified checks, cashier’s checks or money orders for VM fee payments. Personal checks will not be accepted.
Q16. Whom do you consider a “professional” for environmental issues?
- Environmentalists and those who specialize in preparing Environmental Impact Statements (such as Landscape Architects and Planners) are considered professionals.
Q17. Why don’t I sign my application when I first submit it to the GDOT?
- Your application will go through a review process. It may be amended to comply with the Georgia code, GDOT rules, and GDOT VM policy before being returned to you for your signature. Be sure to re-read your application after it is “redlined”. Your signature means you agree with all the review changes.
Q18. What do I do if I already have a blanket bond and I am submitting a new application?
- If a blanket bond already exists for your company, be sure to check the box in Part 2 of the application “Check here for blanket bond request”. Then submit a copy of your blanket bond and document receipt with your signed application. Blanket bonds can be complicated and you must keep track of the cumulative total of all active VM permit Contributory Value totals for your company. Blanket bonds must be at least equal to that running total or your application will be delayed until the bond amount is increased.
Updated February 28, 2007. 18:46
© 2003-2007 Georgia Department of Transportation