Lake Oswego considers new tree‑code rules to meet state clear‑and‑objective standards; council debates small‑lot exemptions, fees and appeals

Lake Oswego councilors spent the bulk of their Nov. 18 meeting on proposed code changes to the city’s tree regulations meant to implement the Urban Community Forestry Plan and to comply with recent Oregon law requiring clear‑and‑objective standards for residential development.

Consultant Sarah Goldstein and Community Development Director Jessica Numanalou presented four substantive code concepts: (1) two clear‑and‑objective retention approaches for housing applications (retain a percentage of total trees on a lot or a percentage of total DBH); (2) targeted incentives for on‑site tree preservation; (3) revisions to the notice and appeals process to reduce delay for clear‑and‑objective applicants; and (4) clearer consistency between development and non‑development permitting with a proposed path for moderate‑risk tree removal.

"The objective of this project is to amend Lake Oswego's tree code and tree related provisions in the community development code as recommended by the urban community forestry plan update," Goldstein said, emphasizing the project’s intent to preserve the city’s wooded character while supporting responsible development.

Retention options and exemptions

Staff proposed offering developers an either/or choice to meet clear‑and‑objective requirements: maintain a fixed percentage of total trees on the lot or retain a fixed…