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Tree regulation 

Not all trees would be regulated under the code.  

Regulated trees (considered for retention or replacement):

  • Trees 6 inches or more in Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) with the trunk located completely or partially within a Significant Habitat Boundary. 

Unregulated trees (removed without regulation or penalty): 

  • Within a certain distance of a house 

  • Hazardous (infested or infected)

  • Diseased or dying

  • Invasive tree species

  • Raised in tree farms or nurseries

  • Tress under 6 inches DBH, except for those used to  used to meet the Code replacement requirement 

1. TREE RETENTION OR REPLACEMENT

Clear-and-objective approaches under consideration for developments proposed in the Upland Wildlife or Riparian Habitat area include:

  • Requiring applicants to complete a Tree Inventory, including tree sizes and types  

  • Awarding points: A point value is assigned to each tree, based on size, species and proximity to a riparian area 

  • Calculations: Both the points total and percentage of trees retained and/or replaced.

  • Assigning:  A “Tree Value” to each regulation tree, to prioritize certain types, such as   native trees, large trees, certain species and/or trees close to riparian areas)  

The Code could require a percentage of the total Tree Value points be retained or be replaced.  

This numeric standard provides quantitative, clear and objective data and will preserve existing trees or require replacement.

Q1. What is your level of support for a potential tree retention or replacement standard?
1=No support
5=High support

2. TREE PROTECTION AND MITIGATION 

This potential code change would require replacement of trees to restore habitat loss through development. 

If tree removal causes the percentage of Tree Value points on the site to drop below the minimum required, tree replacement required. 

This replacement could be provided by: 

  • Preserving smaller native trees (2”–5.9” DBH) or  

  • Planting new trees 

Replacement trees would have a Tree Value score. Use of native trees or planting trees close to water areas would be incentivized.  

To provide some flexibility to site specific situations, the County’s Code could offer an alternative approach to calculating tree protection and mitigation. This would be at the applicant’s option and would need to provide a comparable level of protection. 

Possible alternatives include:  

  • Tree canopy coverage preservation  

  • Planting new trees off-site 

  • Payment of a fee instead of tree preservation or planting 

Q3. What is your level of support for for a potential tree protection and mitigation standard?
1=No support
5=High support

RIPARIAN, UPLAND HABITAT REGULATION

Under potential code concepts, both Riparian and Upland habitats would be subject to tree retention/replacement standards. Riparian Habitat areas would be subject to limitation on permitted uses (current code; no change). 

3. PRESERVATION OF HABITAT RESOURCES

To help preserve resource areas, potential Code changes could: 

  • Continue to consider Upland and Riparian SNR areas eligible to transfer residential density from resource areas to other areas on a site.  

  • Allow for adjustments to setbacks and other requirements  

  • Provide incentives for preserving larger and native trees 

The County would continue to require applicants to obtain all required local, state and federal permits. 

Q5. What is your level of support for potential habitat preservation standards?
1=No support
5=High support
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