City of atlanta department of Planning & Community Development Tree Protection Ordinance Update fact sheet

The City of Atlanta’s Tree Protection Ordinance establishes clear rules and official public policy for tree preservation, maintenance, protection, planting and removal on both public and private property. This policy ensures that citizens, visitors and business owners continue to enjoy the benefits our urban forest. The Tree Protection Ordinance is currently being updated by the Department of Planning and Community Development’s Arborist Division in coordination with the Departments of Law and Parks and Recreation.

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  Natural management of storm water and reduction in the incidence of flooding
  
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  Mitigation of air pollution
  
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  Reduction of the heat island effect in the urban environment
  
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  Protection of habitat for native birds and other wildlife
  
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  Enhancement of the visual quality of the city and its neighborhoods
  
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  Strengthening of the city’s economic base by increasing property values
  
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  Improvement of the overall quality of life and environment for Atlanta’s residents, businesses, and visitors
  

The last significant revision to the ordinance occurred in 2001. The proposed update will improve the ordinance and make it easier to understand. In addition, the update will:

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  Clarify existing terms and define new ones
  
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  Provide new incentives for tree protection and planting on private and public property
  
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  Update the requirements for parking lot plantings
  
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  Authorize the use of tree recompense funds for purchase of forested land
  
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  Provide for tree canopy research and assessments
  

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  Standard recompense fee of $100 per tree plus $30 per DBH inch is not changing.
  

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  Credit doubled for shade trees planted on properties from which they were removed;
  
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  Credit authorized for innovative building techniques to preserve trees on private land.
  
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  Credit authorized for green infrastructure improvements to preserve trees on public land.
  
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  Double inches charged for removal of historic and specimen trees.
  

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  Parking lot requirements updated to provide more space for trees to grow to maturity; to emphasize tree quality, not just quantity; and to reduce heat island effect.
  
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  Tree density table revised for consistency across zoning categories; options for meeting either DBH or # of trees rather than only DBH.
  
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  Special standards for Historic, Landmark, & Specimen Trees .
  
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  Emphasis on planting shade trees.
  
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  Emphasis on encouraging conditions to support tree health and longevity.
  
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  Species diversity required for replacement trees.
  
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  Front yard planting (minimum of 10% of total DBH required).
  
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  Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta Public Housing subject to private property requirements (more consistent with land use); not subject to inch-for-inch replacement as on park land.
  
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  Revised Cap on Value of Trees Removed to prevent both disproportionate costs and inadvertent incentives for the development of certain properties and to align removal costs with replacement costs (applies to vacant new lots, infrastructure, and low income housing).
  
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  Tree planting by City may extend to 30 feet of right-of-way (previously limited to 15 feet).
  

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  Tree Trust Funds authorized for tree canopy study updates; support of methods that help retain mature trees along sidewalks; and for purchase of forest land protected in perpetuity.