Littleton planning commission reviews proposed tree manual and $250-per-inch mitigation fee

At a July 14 study session, Littleton City staff presented a proposed tree manual and related amendments to the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) that would consolidate greenscape and tree provisions into a single technical manual and move arborist licensing into Title 3, Chapter 16.

The proposal, presented by Senior Assistant City Attorney Atassi Toto, would repeal and reenact Title 8 Chapter 4 (the city’s tree code), migrate planting species lists and technical planting/ protection standards into a draft tree manual developed with consultant Davey Resource Group, and update the mitigation fee structure. "The new proposed rate is going to be $250 per inch," Toto told the Planning Commission, adding that the staff recommends a reduced rate of $75 per inch for qualifying affordable housing developments and an exemption for property owners who can show verified financial assistance.

Why it matters: The changes would shift many technical rules out of the ULUC into a director-managed manual, affect how developers and homeowners comply with planting, protection and mitigation rules, and change how the city funds canopy work through its tree fund. Commissioners raised concerns about scale, enforcement, and impacts on small developers and downtown sites.

Staff and consultant work, scope and mechanics

City staff said the work began after a 2023 consultant review of Title 8, Chapter 4 and a draft tree manual. The consultant recommended modernizing terminology, clarifying permitting and licensing, and producing a tree manual with diagrams and species guidance. Staff proposes migrating redundant provisions from ULUC Article 10-1-3.6 (greenscape) and…