Atlanta officials, residents debate draft update to city's tree protection ordinance

Commissioner Janae Prince of the Department of City Planning presented proposed changes to Ordinance 24-01691 and revisions to Chapter 158 of the City Code at a City of Atlanta work session, asking the council and the public to review a draft intended to help the city meet a 50% tree canopy goal. "We are here to discuss ordinance 24 dash o dash 16 91, which is an important and timely update to the city of Atlanta's tree protection ordinance," Prince said.

The proposal would expand preservation standards beyond single-family lots to commercial, multifamily and mixed-use properties; ban clear-cutting of lots; increase recompense (the fee paid when trees are removed) and fines for illegal tree removal; create incentives for stream-buffer restoration; add staffing for implementation; and establish a professional registration program for tree professionals. Prince told the council Atlanta's current canopy measures about 46.5% and that "we're not gonna hit the 50% canopy goal without having preservation on our commercial lots."

Why this matters: The ordinance aims to slow canopy loss linked to redevelopment and increase on-the-ground tree preservation and replanting at a time Atlanta is pursuing a stated citywide canopy target of 50%. Supporters said stricter preservation will protect public health, reduce urban heat island effects and improve stormwater management; builders and some housing advocates warned higher fees and tighter preservation could increase development costs and slow housing production.

Key elements presented by planning staff

- Scope and goals: The draft would extend preservation requirements to commercial and multifamily sites (staff said single-family lots today hold roughly 76% of the city's canopy while other parcels comprise about 24%). Priority trees (large native trees) would receive special protection and new planting standards would be used on a trees-per-acre basis rather than…