Chapter 5, Sec. 5-6, of the City’s Arbor Ordinance requires that a permit application is submitted to the City and a fee paid for each tree removal of 4” DBH* or larger, unless the tree is dead, diseased, or poses a clear and obvious safety hazard to structures or people. In addition, Chapter 5, Sec. 5-9, of the City’s Arbor Ordinance requires that all trees which are removed or destroyed and are subject to replacement, be replaced by a species cited in Appendix B, desirable trees, or such trees approved by the City Arborist.
Replacement Tree Credits
| DBH of Tree (removal) | Tree Credit Value (replacement) | OR | Tree Bank Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4" up to but not including 9" | 1 Credit | or | $300.00 |
| 9" up to but not including 12" | 2 Credits | or | $600.00 |
| 12" up to but not including 16" | 3 Credits | or | $900.00 |
| 16" up to but not including 24" | 4 Credits | or | $1200.00 |
| 24" and above, Non-Specimen tree |
6 credits |
or |
$1500.00 |
| Specimen and historic trees |
0 credits, unless otherwise agreed by the city for extraordinary efforts and commitments made to preserve a specimen or historic tree up to a maximum of 8 credits per tree |
|
See section 5-8 |
Desirable Tree Replacement Examples
Any 15-gallon tree listed in Appendix B is good for 1 Tree Credit. Please note, 15-gallon and 30-gallon denotations refer to standard plant nursery/retailer size specifications.
| Tree Example | Size/Height | Preferred | Tree Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak | 30-gal./10' min. height | Y | 2 Credits for 1 Tree |
| Red Maple | 30-gal./10' min. height | Y | 2 Credits for 1 Tree |
| Long Leaf Pine | 30-gal./9' min. height | Y | 3 Credits for 1 Tree |
| Winged Elm | 30-gal./10' min. height | Y | 3 Credits for 1 Tree |
| Magnolia | 30-gal./8' min. height | Y | 3 Credits for 1 Tree |
Replanting Options
- Plant replacements on your private property
- Plant replacements on an approved donor site
- Pay a tree replacement fee to the City's Tree Bank in lieu of replacement plantings
Fee Schedule
| Example | Fees |
|---|---|
| Residential Single-Family Lot | $25 for the first tree, $10 for each tree thereafter |
| Multi-Family or HOA Owned Property | $100 for the first tree, $10 for each tree thereafter |
| Commercial Property Up To 25 Acres | $200 for the first tree, $10 for each tree thereafter |
| Commercial Property - Additional Acres (Above 25) | $200 for each increment of 25 acres |
| Removal of Dead or Diseased Trees | No Fee |
| Re-Inspection | Duplication of Fee |