A tree ordinance should:
- present a compelling statement of the public health, municipal, and environmental benefits of healthy city trees,
- explain why protection and enhancement of the city’s tree population is a public good,
- demonstrate why protection and enhancement of city tree canopy requires a municipal ordinance,
- enact municipal code(s) that sets goals for tree canopy growth and provides for its reasonable and effective protection, and
- assures all residents and businesses have meaningful access to the benefits of trees.
What's in a tree ordinance
While every community is different, most adopt ordinances that include some, most or all of the provisions listed here.
Review all city policies
Often, tree protection ordinances aren’t the solution to expanding tree canopy or implementing tree equity initiatives. Zoning, development and housing policy all may have greater impacts.
Ensure your ordinances are enforceable
Urban forestry isn’t just about trees. There’s a healthy dose of politics that needs to be navigated. To ease the path, some communities choose not to subject proposed policies to a vote in council. Instead, they’ll adopt them through administrative action — like landscape standards or site plan requirements.
That can work against you if you’re ever challenged in court. Judges tend to favor municipal rules formally adopted by vote of elected officials.