Funds for urban forestry programs flow from many different entities: federal, state and local agencies (other than city forestry budgets); community foundations; local businesses; corporations and institutions like hospitals. Check out the guides below to learn how other cities have fared.
Fees and fees-in-lieu
Along with charging permit fees for developments to cover costs of arborist reviews and approvals, many communities allocate part of fees paid for other municipal services to forestry. Most common are fees for services, like stormwater management, that either depend on or support healthy tree canopy.
Other typical sources
- Direct billing assesses individual property or business owners for tree planting and maintenance. Special assessments pro-rate tree care, usually based on linear feet of street frontage, but such assessments can appear to be unfair or an added tax burden.
- Permit fees and surcharges can be imposed on construction activity for planting and care of community trees and green-space purchases. In business areas where little or no construction is taking place, a small surcharge may be added to business licenses.
- Development conditions can mandate planting trees or providing usable green space. A builder also can be required to protect existing street trees and green space.
- Revenues from municipal tree ordinance enforcement and permit processes can be used for tree planting and care. The City of Atlanta deposits fees-in-lieu and penalties from property owners into the Tree Trust Fund, which pays for some city staff and operating expenses.
- Insurance settlements for municipal trees that are damaged or destroyed in an accident may be sizable and can pay for new plantings.
- Revenues from community-owned concessions, golf enterprises, property rents or leases, and hotel/ motel taxes also can be used for tree programs.