Bend staff propose narrow edits to tree preservation code after one year of implementation

City planning staff presented a one-year review of Bend’s tree preservation code at a Jan. 12 Planning Commission work session and proposed narrow amendments intended to clarify implementation and add limited flexibility.

Pauline, a city planning staffer, told commissioners the tree code adopted Aug. 16, 2024, distinguishes “regulated trees” (measured at 4½ feet and 6 inches or greater) and larger “priority trees” (20 inches DBH). The code gives developers three compliance options: preserve at least 20% of priority trees (Option 1); preserve 25% of the total DBH of regulated trees (Option 2); or preserve as little as 5% of DBH and mitigate the shortfall (Option 3). Where preservation is infeasible, mitigation can be on-site tree replacement or a payment in lieu set at $600 per required replacement tree.

Using data from Aug. 16, 2024–Sept. 30, 2025, staff reported 766 applications touched by the code during that window; 711 were exempt (mostly single‑dwelling or small middle‑housing projects), while 55 required tree‑preservation review. Of those 55, staff said 3 proposed…