Doraville adopts stopgap tree‑permit limits, tightens protections for right‑of‑way

Doraville’s City Council unanimously approved a set of stopgap amendments to the city’s tree ordinance intended to curb the removal of otherwise healthy trees while staff completes a comprehensive rewrite.

Planning staff presented the amendment as a narrow, interim change that applies citywide regardless of lot size and reduces the number of non‑development removals allowed without a full tree protection plan. The changes prohibit removal of healthy non‑specimen trees unless a qualified arborist classifies the tree as dead, dying or hazardous. “You cannot remove them if they’re healthy or if they’re not classified by the arborist as dead, dying, or hazardous,” the planner told the council.

Council members discussed emergency removals, stump grinding, the cost burden on homeowners when multiple trees are failing at once, and concerns about unscrupulous arborist letters. Members added a friendly amendment to make the ordinance language clearer about additional protections for trees located within the city’s right of way.

A motion to waive first reading and adopt the amendments — including the right‑of‑way clarification — passed on a roll call vote; council members recorded support and the motion carried. Staff said the amendments are intended as an interim measure while the city budgets and procures a third‑party rewrite of the full tree ordinance.

What’s next: The council directed staff to incorporate additional clarifying language requested by council members and to continue work on the comprehensive ordinance rewrite funded from the tree fund. Staff also noted procedures for emergency removals and arborist verification would remain available for genuinely hazardous trees.