Duluth Tree Ordinance

Permit Required: No

The City of Duluth adopted the Buffer, Landscape and Tree Ordinance to recognize the importance of trees and how it enhances the quality of life of the citizens of Duluth. The City also acknowledges that the protection and preservation of trees, the planting of new trees and other landscape material, and the provision of undisturbed buffers is a public purpose. Every property owner or occupant is responsible for the normal care of trees located on their property. The existence of dead, substantially injured, damaged or diseased trees are not allowed to exist or to be maintained on any premises which are hazardous to persons on adjacent property, the adjacent property or public streets.

Specifics:

No permit is required for the removal of trees at single-family residential properties in the City of Duluth. However, all single-family residential lots being developed as a subdivision in the City shall maintain a minimum tree density based upon the maximum number of trees that can be maintained within twenty percent (20%) of the lot’s Plantable Area, taking into consideration the standards established in the Buffer, Landscape and Tree Ordinance for tree size and separation.

Commercial Property
Removal of trees within common areas of residential neighborhoods such as clubhouses, tennis courts, pools, neighborhood entrances, etc will be treated as commercial properties.

In most cases, trees that are removed will need to be replaced on site to comply with zoning requirements as well as maintain the minimum density requirement for commercial properties at 20 units per acre.

Fee: No

Contact:

William Aiken, City of Duluth Planner
waiken@duluthga.net

Phone:

678-475-3519678-475-3519