Athens-Clarke County Community Tree Management Ordinance

Regulates the quantity, quality, and distribution of trees with the County, within each zoning district, and on individual sites. The intent of this ordinance is to establish minimum requirements for conserved and planted tree canopy, to regulate the quality of trees through adoption of technical standards for species selection, tree planting, tree maintenance, and tree protection, and to regulate the distribution of trees so that their function is maximized.

Includes the following provisions:
– Establishes a classification of “landmark tree” based on age, size, species, etc., which shall be protected.
– Sets a goal of tree canopy cover of at least 45 percent for the County, and establishes Total Tree Canopy Cover Requirements by Zoning District.
– Sets a ratio of 1 parking lot canopy tree for each 7 parking spaces
– Where tree conservation requirements cannot be met, compliance may be achieved through planting in a “forest regeneration area” or “future forest area” established in accordance with standards within this policy.
– Requires inch for inch replacement of trees within a “tree preservation area”