Effingham County discusses draft tree protection ordinance with survey, replacement and mitigation rules

Effingham County staff on Sept. 16 presented a draft tree protection ordinance intended to establish enforceable standards for tree removal, replacement and preservation on development sites and public rights‑of‑way.

Staff described the ordinance as three connected sections: tree protection (definitions, protected/specimen trees, removal standards), street-tree requirements and public‑property/right‑of‑way standards. The draft would apply to new residential, commercial and industrial developments, public projects and to existing residential lots when removal involves a protected or specimen tree. Agricultural operations, removal of certified dead or hazardous trees and emergency removals would be exempted when documented.

Key provisions in the draft posted to the board packet include:

- Requirement of a tree survey by a certified arborist when clearing and grading meet the county’s land‑disturbing permit threshold (staff cited 1…