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Dewey Beach council adopts minimum-tree rule for most new single‑family construction
Summary
The council approved an ordinance requiring minimum numbers of trees for new single‑family construction in three residential districts, with district-specific ratios and native-species/size standards. The measure applies to new construction and additions, not routine maintenance, and was adopted unanimously.
Dewey Beach — The town council voted March 20 to require a minimum number of trees for most new single‑family construction and additions, adopting district-specific ratios intended to increase canopy cover across the town.
Commissioner Gary Persinger, who introduced the proposal, said the change was drafted after Planning & Zoning studied other towns and recommended standards that apply to newly built or expanded residential lots rather than to ordinary maintenance. Under the ordinance, properties in the NR district would require one tree per 1,666 square feet, the RR district one per 2,000 square feet and the RB3 district one per 2,500 square feet; fractional results of 0.5 or higher are rounded up. The newly required trees must meet the native‑species and minimum size rules already codified in section 173‑3A, Persinger said.
“Where we’ve seen new construction in town, there’s nothing left to provide shade or canopy,” Persinger said during the council discussion. Several council members said a minimum standard for new construction was better than no standard at all. Commissioner Bower supported the district differentiation, saying the NR (north residential) area already has denser canopy and that three trees on a large lot were not burdensome.
A resident in public comment, David Wore, asked about current replacement rules and minimum tree caliper; council members referred specific size questions to code section 173. The ordinance exempts existing homes that are not adding or renovating, and town staff said Planning & Zoning limited the rule to single‑family detached homes in the NR, RR and RB3 zoning districts.
The council moved and approved the ordinance “as is” by voice vote. The measure directs staff to incorporate the tree‑planting standard into building permit checks for qualifying projects; enforcement will follow the town’s established tree‑removal and replacement procedures.
The ordinance won support across the panel as a modest, administrable way to grow Dewey’s urban canopy while preserving flexibility for commercial and condominium properties not subject to the change.
