Philadelphia On-site Landscape and Tree Requirements

Philadelphia’s Landscape and Tree Requirements sets guidelines for tree protection for development on existing lots greater than 5000 square feet. The guidelines require all zoning permit applications to include a landscape and tree preservation plan prepared by a qualified professional, planting standards such as minimum spacing and soil volume, and the establishment of a progressive (bracketed) in-lieu fee for any healthy trees at 2.5″ DBH or larger that are removed, damaged, or destroyed as a result of development or site clearing and not replaced. The requirements also establishes protections for “Heritage Trees,” and requires that trees are planted in the yards of all Residential Multi-Family, Commercial, Commercial Mixed-Use, Industrial, and Special Purpose zoning districts (at a rate of one tree per 1,600 square feet of open area).