Where to start
Model ordinances
Take a look at some recently-adopted ordinances. You’ll note what leading edge community are doing on both public and private lands. And you’ll see that most still reflect common elements generally found in these types of codes.
Cover all the bases
For a detailed description of individual provisions commonly found in tree protection ordinances, click here.
It takes more than a TPO
Many different municipal policies will influence what happens to your community’s urban forest and the list is long: zoning, development codes, stormwater management, energy conservation, climate mitigation, hazard mitigation and response plans. Consider them all as you determine what’s working — and what’s not — to achieve your goals.
Do not set and forget ... anything
Not every ordinance does it all. Most require updates and revisions to reflect changes in the climate as well as recent initiatives to promote tree equity.
As a first step, assess your own codes to determine where improvements could be made — and whether they might be enacted in law. You may want to use one of these assessment tools from the Center for Watershed Protection.
Other resources you might consult:
Urban Forestry South: Checklist for Assessing Program Operations and Effectiveness
Wisconsin Sea Grant Program (NOAA) — Tackling Barriers to Green Infrastructure
Consider enforceability
Enforcement efforts can be stymied when policies aren’t enacted into law, but adopted simply as administrative policy. To ensure your ordinance is enforceable — especially through the courts — follow these guidelines.