Atlanta council raises tree-recompense fees, OKs administrative changes and nonprofit removal assistance

Unnamed official, a City official, said the City Council passed revisions to Atlanta’s tree protection ordinance that increase fees paid into the city’s tree recompense fund and add administrative clarifications for development near trees.

The revisions raise the fees that feed the tree recompense fund — the first increase in almost 25 years — and create a partnership with a soon‑to‑be‑designated nonprofit to assist homeowners, primarily senior citizens and economically similar residents, with removal of unsafe or fallen trees, the official said. “These fees go into our tree recompense fund, which helps us maintain, acquire other forested areas, within the city of Atlanta for the growth of trees,” the official said.

Why it matters: The ordinance changes…