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Tree Canopy Policy and Unified Development Ordinance
In an effort to preserve and protect our city’s majestic urban tree canopy, the City of Charlotte implemented the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) on June 1, 2023.
The newest addition to the ordinance and the one most applicable to homeowners is the concept of the Heritage Tree Preservation. A heritage tree is defined as any tree native to North Carolina per the USDA Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service Plants Database whose DBH (diameter at breast height) is 30” or more. Oak, Beech, Pine, Cedar, Maple, Sweetgum and Tulip poplar are all native to N.C.
Article 20, Tree Preservation Requirements, mandates city approval for the removal of a healthy heritage tree. This requires residents to apply for a heritage tree removal permit and requires a replanting commitment in addition to paying a removal fee. The permit application cost $265 and the removal fee is $500. If you choose to remove a healthy heritage tree, you will now pay at least $765 to the city of Charlotte if you forgo other mitigation options. This doesn’t include the cost of the actual removal.
Look Up, Look Out, Look Ahead. These new regulations are an effort to help mitigate the loss of Charlotte’s tree canopy so that future generations have a fighting chance to view Charlotte as it has historically been known as The City of Trees. Perhaps you’ve heard: the city has had a longstanding goal to increase the tree canopy to 50% by year 2050. Unfortunately, our canopy is shrinking as it has decreased from 49% to 46% in recent years.
Naturally, one would assume the canopy loss is due to the bustling development of the city; however, newer data suggests that we are losing too many trees in our residential areas. That’s right, it is the trees in our front and back yards that need the most protection. Therefore, it is our personal and collective responsibility to care for the trees that give back to us in so many ways (think of the benefits: monetary, aesthetic, health, ecological and environmental).
Don’t take unnecessary risks. Avoid costly mistakes.
If you have a healthy heritage tree within your landscape and are thinking of removal, reconsider. If you do decide it’s time for a removal based on risk tolerance or health concerns, ask about the city’s new regulations and processes when talking with a Sales Arborist. If a city resident and a tree company decides to ignore new UDO requirements; it can be costly as the fines are $200 per inch of DBH plus replanting cost. This can easily equate to several thousands of dollars for the removal of a mature native tree. The best protection from fines is to respect the intent of the new regulations and only remove heritage trees that are beyond repair or dead.
Let’s work together. Heartwood is here to help you navigate the new regulations. Not only is it a city goal we support, it is one that is built into our mission. Our desire is to be the Caretakers of the Crown (pun intended) and To Help Trees Outlive Humans after all.
Discussions should start during your consultation. If the native tree in question has health or risk concerns, your consulting arborist may suggest a Tree Risk Assessment.
We are here to help educate you and make sure you understand your options. You can go at it alone (we don’t recommend it) or you can lean on our team of experts to make the process less painful. For an additional charge, we’ll do most of the work for you. We can submit the permit application on your behalf acting as your agent and take care of all of the mitigation landscape or project plan submissions. We’ll work with you to determine what is best for your situation. At which, you would only be responsible for paying the mitigation fee to the City based on your mitigation choice.
Heritage Tree Removal Permitting Process
Step 1
Permit Cost =$265.00
Permit Turn Time = within 3 to 5 business days
Apply for a tree removal permit through the City of Charlotte’s Land Development Office after registering through the Accela Citizen Access portal.
Note: At this time, you will need to be prepared to submit the permit application with images of the tree in question and future landscape or project plans to include your replanting plans, mitigation and/or preservation commitment.
Step 2 will not begin until the permit invoice is paid.
Step 2
Replanting landscape plans and/or specimen preservation project plan review by Urban Foresters.
Review Turn Time = up to 10 business days
Review Outcome: approval or plan adjustments will be requested.
Note: Once plans are approved, the city will invoice you based on your mitigation or preservation commitment.
Step 3 will not begin until the mitigation fee is paid.
Step 3
The city will issue you a heritage tree removal permit in which you will need to provide to the tree company performing the removal. If working with an agent, the agent can access this for you.
Once the permit application fee and mitigation fees are paid, the city of Charlotte will issue a removal permit.
City of Charlotte – Heritage Tree Removal Permit and Mitigation Options (Non-Development)
Removal Permit
Heritage Tree Removal Permits - $265.
Visit the CLT Development Center website for more information on permits.
Minimum Mitigation Requirements
Fee
$500 per native tree removed
Minimum 1 tree planted on-site. Code required tree.
Replanting Mitigation Options
Fee Reduction
Each additional tree planted reduces the fee by $250.
- 3 mitigation trees to zero out fee.
Specimen Tree Preservation Option
Mitigation Waived
Specimen trees preserved for heritage tree mitigation shall be credited at a 1:1 ratio, only large mature trees may count for specimen tree mitigation
What do I replant? Your replacement tree must be selected from the city approved tree list. Large mature tree species must be planted on 40’ spacing unless there is a proven conflict. The tree shall be a minimum of two-inch caliper and meet American Standards of Nursery stock (ANSI Z60.1) unless otherwise approved by the Chief Urban Forester. The best news is we will help you understand replanting specifications, and replant for you during the dormant season while also providing you with aftercare instructions.
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