EXPLORE ATLANTA'S
TREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE

Welcome to our click-through, interactive exercise exploring changes to the Tree Protection Ordinance at the City of Atlanta. You are the driver and will be navigating by clicking the options available on each page.

This is built from the lens of the end user, our residents, whether that be a homeowner, a developer, or an interested party. It is meant to describe the components of the ordinance as well as background for the decisions made. We hope this helps simplify the legalese into something more tangible.

ATLANTA IS UNIQUE

We have high urban canopy coverage and have had a Tree Protection Ordinance since 2001. This ordinance is undergoing major revisions since its inception.

NOT JUST LANGUAGE TWEAKS

Our work is guided by Atlanta City Design which outlines 5 key values for our city: equity, access, ambition, progress, and nature. We prosper when we design for nature, design for people and design for people in nature. This ordinance is therefore rooted in the study of urban ecology and guided by the Atlanta we envision.

SO, WHAT IS A TREE ORDINANCE

A tree ordinance defines how to manage and care for public and/or privately owned trees and are meant to help protect and maintain a healthy and sustainable community forest.

COMPONENTS OF ATLANTA'S TREE ORDINANCE

Tree evaluation
Removal and replacement standards 
Preservation standards
Replacement standards
Recompense
Incentives and exemptions
Enforcement
Postings, appeals, and application tracking
Community assistance