The Greensboro Tree Preservation Ordinance was adopted in 2000 and applies to commercial, retail, and multifamily development within the Greensboro city limits. The Tree Preservation The ordinance does not apply to new single family subdivisions or existing residences. Additionally, the ordinance does not apply to NCDOT roadway projects or Duke Power line clearance. The easement that Duke Power owns along the power lines legally allows them to perform tree trimming work and overrides the Tree Preservation Ordinance.

The ordinance was designed to allow developers to remove trees on their site but also require them to keep some existing trees. The amount of trees that are required to be saved is based on a sliding scale that requires larger sites to keep more trees than smaller sites. Many times, trees are saved around the edges of the property or in the rear of the property, where it is not obvious that they are trees the developer is required to save. Tree preservation areas are required to be protected with orange tree protection fencing or black silt fencing.

City of Greensboro staff enforces the Tree Preservation Ordinance. Before construction begins on a site, plans are reviewed by staff to make sure they are meeting the requirements of the ordinance. Once the plans are reviewed, the sites are inspected to ensure they are following the approved plan. 

How the Ordinance Was Created

In 1997, a Tree Preservation Committee was created that was made up of members of the builder / developer community and the environmental community. This dedicated committee worked for many months with the help of a hired facilitator to develop a draft Tree Preservation Ordinance. Along with the ordinance, they established several key recommendations, including recommendations to hire an urban forester, conduct a tree census, create an advisory commission on trees, establish a neo-traditional zoning option, establish more flexibility in the development ordinance to preserve trees, modify street design standards to allow for more tree preservation, and develop an ongoing educational process.

The draft ordinance and the recommendations were presented to City Council on May 13, 1998. The Council supported the draft ordinance and voted to hire an urban forester. Once the urban forester position was filled, work continued on the Tree Preservation Ordinance with the Tree Preservation Committee, and on October 17, 2000, the Tree Preservation Ordinance was adopted by City Council.

Tree Preservation and Landscape Manual

The Tree Preservation and Landscape Manual is a user-friendly guide based on the ordinance. Download a full pdf version of the manual or read a specific section or topic listed below. 
        
        Section I        Introduction, Contact Information & FAQ
        Section II       Purpose & Authority, Permits, Procedures, ACT & Definitions
        Section III      Ordinance Requirements
        Section IV      Flow Charts & Check Lists
        Section V       Trees to Plant Under Power Lines
                             Basic Pruning Standards
                             Approved Plant List
                             Land Use Code Chart (LUC)
                             Tree Disturbance Permit Form
                             Tree Planting Detail
                             Tree Protection Fence Detail
                             Recommended Street Trees