LandCode
GainesvilleUnified Land Development Code

Article 13 — Site Development, Chapter 13-3 — TREE PROTECTION

current as of 2025-12-16verified current · checked 2026-08-24Officialofficial source20 sections · full chapter
§ 13-3-1

Establishment of Tree Protection Zone

Except as exempted by this Chapter, a tree protection zone is hereby established which applies to the entirety of a tract of land for which no tree protection plan has been approved. After such approval, the tree protection zone shall correspond to that part of a tract of land designated as such on said plan. Tree protection zones shall be shown on land development plans and preliminary subdivision plats, as applicable, or a separate tree plan shall be submitted to demonstrate compliance with this Chapter.

§ 13-3-2

Exemptions from Tree Protection Zone

The tree protection zone shall not apply to the following, except that any construction, paving, or other activity on a property that will damage trees on the public right-of-way is subject to the restrictions of this Chapter for the protection of existing trees:

(a)The C-B, Central Business zoning district.
(b)Property on which a single-family dwelling is being constructed under contract to the person who will occupy the structure.
(c)Property already occupied by an owner-occupied single-family dwelling, unless non-residential uses or additional dwelling units are proposed for such property.
(d)Public utility companies conducting operations on public and utility rights-of-way and easements or on sites for electric power substations and similar facilities, which operations are for the purpose of assuring uninterrupted utility services.
(e)Property in use for the following:
(1)Tree farming: The planting, cultivating, and harvesting of trees in a continuous cycle as a regular practice on a tract of land; not including the removal of trees for purposes of development or the removal of trees without replanting.
(2)Agricultural activities:
i.Bona-fide commercial production from the land or on the land of agricultural products, including horticultural, floricultural, dairy, livestock, poultry, and apiarian products, but not including forestry products (see “tree farming”

herein); and

ii.clearing trees for the purpose of planting crops, providing pasture for livestock, or constructing buildings accessory to production of agricultural products.
§ 13-3-3

Tree Damage Prohibited

It shall be unlawful for any person to:

(a)Cut, carve or otherwise damage or remove any tree except in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
(b)Attach any wire, nails, advertising posters or other contrivance harmful to any tree.
(c)Allow any gaseous, liquid or solid substance which is harmful to trees (such as concrete washout, fuel, lubricants, herbicides or paint) to come in contact with them.
(d)Set a fire or permit any fire to burn when such fire or the heat thereof will injure any portion of any tree.
§ 13-3-4

Limitations on Tree Removal

(a)Existing significant trees or any other trees 10” DBH or larger that are in excess of the minimum required tree units per acre of development site (not including land area covered by buildings) but outside the construction area (buildings, accessory uses, parking area) shall not be removed unless adjacent development would cause irreparable damage to the critical root zones.
(b)No person shall remove more than 90% of the existing trees on a lot that is subject to the requirements of this Chapter.
(c)An existing tree survey identifying all significant trees 10” DBH or larger shall be required as part of the approved tree plan.
§ 13-3-5

Tree Retention Priorities

The retention of trees is the highest priority and shall take precedence over the removal of trees and replacement with smaller trees. Tree protection and landscaping plans shall be reviewed for compliance with the following provisions, and noncompliance with this Section may be grounds for disapproval of tree protection and landscaping plans required by this Chapter:

(a)Existing trees in required landscape strips shall be retained to the maximum extent possible.
(b)Existing trees between the building line and the street shall be retained to the maximum extent possible,
(c)Where existing trees exist where parking lots are proposed, such trees shall be integrated into the design of the parking lot so that they may be retained in tree planting islands, to the maximum extent possible.
(d)Any other existing trees in parking areas to the rear of the building line or elsewhere on the site shall be retained to the maximum extent possible.
(e)Trees categorized as significant trees, historical or landmark trees located shall be integrated into the design of the development to the maximum extent possible.
§ 13-3-6

Significant Trees

(a)Significant trees are composed of Specimen, Historic and Landmark trees. In order to obtain credit for a significant tree, the tree shall be protected in their natural state, free from damage.
(b)To encourage the protection of a significant hardwood tree additional density credits will be given for significant trees saved. Credit for any significant hardwood tree saved will be four (4) times the assigned unit value shown in Table 9-13-6.
(c)If a significant tree is damaged or removed without prior approval by the Director of Planning and Development, recompense or penalty will be required or imposed as follows:
(1)Any specimen tree that is removed without prior approval must be replaced by trees with a total density equal to twice the unit value of the tree removed.

Additionally, replacement trees shall be a minimum of 3” caliper.

(2)If a historic or landmark tree is damaged or removed without prior approval, the Community and Economic Development Department will require replacement by trees with a total density equal to four (4) times the unit of the tree removed.
§ 13-3-7

Preliminary Tree Plan for Multiple Sites in Industrial Park

A preliminary tree plan may be submitted for development of an industrial park where multiple sites will be cleared and graded for purposes of marketing vacant sites to industrial prospects.

Planting of new trees will not be required on a lot until a use is developed on that lot, and locations of new trees need not be shown on the preliminary plan. Removal of significant trees and other trees 10” DBH or larger shall be permitted only in conjunction with an approved preliminary tree protection plan, an approved grading plan, and actual grading of building pads (i.e., not simply to clear the lot). The preliminary tree protection plan shall show the following:

(a)The extent of the development site.
(b)Limits of land disturbance, clearing, grading and trenching.
(c)Grade changes or other work adjacent to a significant tree or any other tree 10” DBH or larger which would affect it adversely, with drawings or descriptions as to how the grade, drainage, and aeration will be maintained around the tree.
(d)Units of trees that will be required on the lot when it is developed, calculated both: (1)

without subtracting any building footprint area from the acreage and (2) by subtracting one-third of the lot area as assumed building area.

(e)Location of any significant, historical and landmark trees to be removed.
§ 13-3-8

Permit Required for Removal of Certain Trees

(a)On properties which are not specifically exempted by this Chapter, a permit shall be required to be issued by the Director to remove or cause the death of existing significant trees and any other trees 6” DBH or larger located within the tree protection zone or for grading or other work adjacent to a tree which would affect it adversely. An approved tree protection plan is required for issuance of a permit.
(b)Permit requirements of this Section shall be waived if the applicant submits information from an Certified Arborist, Registered Forester, Registered Landscape Architect, or other qualified professional who demonstrates in writing that trees to be removed are dead, are diseased or infested to the extent that removal is necessary, or have been damaged by lightning, wind, ice, or other disasters to the extent that public safety is endangered. When a tree that has died or has been irreparably damaged is counted toward meeting the minimum tree density requirements of this Chapter, said tree shall be replaced with an equal number of tree units on the site.
§ 13-3-9

Criteria for the Protection of Existing Trees

When a choice is available as to which existing trees to save, emphasis shall be given to the preservation of significant trees, as defined in this Chapter, even isolated significant trees, over retention of other trees. Non-significant trees, however, should be saved in stands rather than as individual trees scattered over a site.

§ 13-3-10

Tree Protection Fencing

(a)During excavation, filling, construction or demolition operations, each tree or stand of trees within tree protection zones or otherwise designated to remain on the property shall be protected against damage to bark, roots and low-hanging branches with an orange barricade fence enclosing the critical root zone of said trees to be retained.
(b)Fencing shall be either plastic construction area fencing, silt fencing, 12-gauge 2 x 4-inch wire mesh, double 1 x 4-inch rails on 2 x 4-inch posts, or high-visibility surveyors’ tape on 1 x 2-inch posts. Height of the latter three fence types shall be 4 feet.
(c)Tree save area signage with the language, “Tree Protection Area – Do Not Disturb”

shall be required every 20 feet of fencing.

§ 13-3-11

Additional Tree Protection Requirements

(a)Compaction prohibited. All building materials, vehicles, construction equipment, dirt, debris, or other objects likely to cause soil compaction or above-ground damage shall be kept outside the critical root zone of trees within tree protection zones or other trees to be protected. Where a limited amount of encroachment is unavoidable and is approved by the city, the critical root zone shall first be mulched with a 4” layer of processed pine bark or wood chips or a 6-inch layer of pine straw.
(b)Grade change prohibited. There shall be no raising or lowering of the ground level within the critical root zone of trees within tree protection zones or other trees to be protected. Stripping of topsoil in such critical root zones shall not be permitted.

Where necessary, the use of moderate fill is permitted only with prior installation of an aeration system approved by the city. Deposition of sediment in such critical root zones shall be prevented by placement of sediment barriers, which shall be backed by 2 x 4-inch wire mesh in areas of steep slope.

(c)Ditches prohibited. No person shall excavate any ditch or trench within the critical root zone of trees within tree protection zones or other trees to be protected. Where such encroachment is unavoidable and is approved by the city, ditches or trenches shall be so located as to minimize root damage. If roots must be cut, root pruning procedures approved by the city must be employed.
(d)Paving prohibited. No person shall pave with concrete, asphalt, or other impervious material within the critical root zone within tree protection zones or other trees to be protected.
(e)Encroachment in critical root zones. Encroachment on the critical root zone of a tree is permitted where necessary to the development (e.g., construction of a driveway), provided the tree is not counted toward the required minimum tree units per acre of development site (not including land area covered by buildings). Encroachments shall occupy nor more than 25% of the total area in the root protection zone circle.
§ 13-3-12

Minimum Tree Units Required

(a)Upon completion of development, all properties shall have the minimum tree units per acre of the development site (not including land area covered by buildings).

Within the development site of any property subject to the requirements of this Chapter, and unless otherwise specifically exempted from the provisions of this Chapter, there shall be enough trees to produce a total Tree Density Unit of no less than 18 units per acre.

(b)For purposes of this Chapter, the term “development site” excludes undeveloped portions of a lot.
(c)Trees on the same lot but within required buffers or undeveloped portions of the site shall not be counted toward meeting this requirement for any given development site. A development site may be proposed larger than the limits of clearing, to retain trees on a forested portion of the site that will help meet the requirement of this Section, provided that the area containing trees is set aside as a tree protection area and is made a part of the boundary of the development site, through boundary line adjustment if the development site is a separate lot.
§ 13-3-13

Tree Inventories and Surveys

Compliance with the required Site Density Factor shall be demonstrated on the Tree Protection and Replacement Plan and the Grading and Erosion Control Plan. All trees that are to be counted toward meeting density requirements must be inventoried or sampled based on the acreage of the development site. The method used to inventory the trees must be indicated on the plans.

On tree save areas greater than three acres, all tree save areas must be surveyed using an approved scientific sampling method (e.g., Basal Area). Timber cruising methods (50’ X 50’

sample areas or the prism method) of sampling is needed for large tracts. One sample required for every three acres of Tree Save Area. Sampling should be done in areas to remain as undisturbed Tree Save Areas, not areas intended for development. The contents of each sample area shall be inventoried. All sampling areas shall be accurately depicted on the Tree Protection and Replacement Plan and appropriately flagged to corresponding locations on the actual site.

When using sample areas, the basal area units should be averaged and an existing density factor per acre determined. Using this tree density, the appropriate amount of tree save area should be preserved to meet the Site Density Factor requirements. These calculations must be included on the tree plan.

§ 13-3-14

Calculation of Tree Units Generally

One “tree unit” is not the same as one “tree.” For existing trees, the “tree units” assigned are the cross-sectional areas of the trunks at DBH in square feet. For new trees, credits given reflect a size that will be achieved after several years of growth. When the calculation of tree units required results in a fraction, the number of tree units shall be rounded upward to the next highest whole number.

§ 13-3-15

Measurement of Tree Units of Existing Trees

The diameter of an existing tree’s trunk will be measured and a value assigned in “tree units” in accordance with Table 13-6. When an existing tree meets the definition of “significant

Table 13-6: Tree Unit Values for Existing Trees
DBH (inches)Tree UnitsDBH (inches)Tree Units
1 to 4.3285.3
5 to 6.6295.7
7.8306.1
81.0316.5
91.1327.0
101.2337.3
111.3347.8
121.5358.3
131.6368.9
141.8379.3
151.9389.8
162.03910.4
172.14010.8
182.34111.4
192.44212.0
202.54312.6
213.04413.2
223.24513.8
233.64614.4

24 3.8 47 15.0 25 4.2 48 15.8 26 4.6 49 16.4 27 5.0 50 and above 17.0

Reading grid · rebuilt for display · verify at source (p. 370)
§ 13-3-16

Measurement of Tree Units of Replacement Trees

The diameter of a replacement tree’s trunk will be measured and a value assigned in “tree units”

in accordance with Table 13-7. For purposes of this Section, a “large species” is one that will

Table 13-7: Tree Unit Values for Replacement Trees
GenerallyCaliper (inches)Tree UnitsLarge SpeciesCaliper (inches)Tree Units
2.62.7
3.73.8
4.841.0
5.951.2
6 and above1.16 and above1.4

up to the nearest whole number.

Reading grid · rebuilt for display · verify at source (p. 371)
§ 13-3-17

Criteria for Replacement Trees

(a)Spacing and the potential size of species chosen shall be compatible with spatial limitations of the site.
(b)The species must be ecologically compatible with the specifically intended growing site. Publications of the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Georgia College of Agriculture, or other sources acceptable to the City may be consulted regarding questions of tree characteristics.
(c)The trees must have the potential for size and quality comparable to those removed (e.g., an existing oak tree should not be replaced with a pine or dogwood tree).
(d)The trees must have crowns and root systems at maturity that will not disrupt nearby utilities, sidewalks, or public right-of-way infrastructure.
(e)Where trees must be added to achieve the minimum required tree units per acre of development site (not including land area covered by buildings), the following shall apply:
(1)Pines may not comprise more than 10% of the required tree units. Where existing pines already comprise 10% or more of the required units, no more pines may be credited toward the required tree units.
(2)No more than 30% of the required tree units can consist of a single tree species.
(3)At least 25% of the replacement tree units must be canopy trees.
(4)Flowering ornamental trees shall not be counted in terms of compliance with minimum tree unit requirements, unless listed in the tree list provided in Table 13-3 of this Chapter.
(f)Where trees must be added to achieve the required minimum tree units per acre of development site (not including land area covered by buildings), such additions shall be made between the street right-of-way and the front building line to the extent that physical space is available.
§ 13-3-18

Physical Site Limitations

Where the proposed development area (i.e., the buildings, accessory uses, and parking area) does not permit the retention or planting of trees equivalent to the minimum tree units per acre of the development site, the following regulations shall apply:

(a)The development site shall be enlarged, in cases where it does not comprise the entire lot.
(b)The tree protection zone shall, to the extent possible, be enlarged by removing parking spaces in excess of the minimum number required, by placing additional planting islands within the development area, or by reducing the area to be occupied by buildings.
(c)Alternative Compliance. Where such changes to development site or plans are not feasible, as determined by the Director of Community Development, the development applicant may propose and the Department may approve one of the two following alternatives:
(1)Off-site Location. An alternative, off-site location for the planting of trees to meet the minimum required tree units may be approved by the Department. Public street rights-of-ways and public properties in the City, or private property in the City that has a valid conservation easement granted in favor of tree protection, shall be acceptable alternative sites for tree planting. If this is allowed, an escrow account or bond shall be required and established to cover the costs of trees and installation. Approval for off-site planting of required trees shall not exceed 50% of total trees required for replanting.
(2)Tree Replacement Fund. In lieu of planting trees on an approved off-site location, the development applicant may contribute to the City of Gainesville Tree Replacement Fund. Contributions shall be calculated based on 3-inch caliper trees and shall be based upon the number, size and type of trees that cannot be planted on the development site. The amount of the donation shall be 100% of the estimated costs derived from the average of two written estimates provided by the applicant from nurseries, including the plant materials, labor and any other costs associated with the plantings. Approval for Tree Replacement Fund contribution in lieu of on-site replanting shall not exceed 50% of the total trees.
§ 13-3-19

List of Generally Appropriate Trees

Table 13-8 provides a list of trees generally appropriate for planting within the City. When
Scientific NameCommon NameCommentsAppropriate Planting Location StreetParking LotBuffer
Large Trees
Acer buergeranumTrident MapleDeciduousYY
Acer saccharumSouthern Sugar Maple*Deciduous, shade tolerantYY
Acer rubrumRed MapleDeciduous, urban street treeYY
Betula nigra ’BNMTF’River BirchDeciduous, heat- tolerant/multi- branchY
Carpinus betulus fastigiataUpright European HornbeamDeciduous, narrow young/spreads with ageY
Carya illinoinesisHickories, Pecans (native, fruitless)Deciduous, shade/branches subject to breakage
Celtis laevigataSugar Hackberry*Deciduous, street & shade treeYY
Celtis occidentalisCommon Hackberry*DeciduousYY
Fagus grandifoliaAmerican Beech*Deciduous, avoid post-planting disturbanceYY
Fraxinus AmericanaWhite AshDeciduousYY
Fraxinus carolinianaCarolina AshDeciduous, wet habitats
Fraxinus pennsylvanicaGreen Ash*Deciduous, heat tolerantYY
Ginkgo bilobaGingkoDeciduous, urban tolerant, disease resistant, MALE onlyYY
Juniperus virginianaEastern Red Cedar*Conifer, not shade-tolerantY

may be invasive over time Platanus x acerifolia London Planetree Deciduous, urban-tolerant Y Y Quercus acutissima Sawtooth Oak Deciduous, specimen tree Y Y Quercus alba White Oak* Deciduous, difficult to transplant Y Y Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak* Deciduous, sun, shade and wind tolerant Y Quercus coccinea Scarlet Oak* Deciduous, drought tolerant Y Quercus falcate Southern Red Oak* Deciduous, drought tolerant Y Y Quercus laurifolia Laurel Oak* Deciduous, drought tolerant Quercus lyrata Overcup Oak* Deciduous, transplants well, adapts to poor sites Quercus nigra Water Oak* Deciduous Y Y Quercus nuttallii Nutall Oak Deciduous, transplants well Y Y Quercus palustris Pin Oak Deciduous, specimen tree Y Y Scientific Name Common Name Comments Appropriate Planting Location Street Parking Lot Buffer Quercus phellos Willow Oak* Deciduous, drought tolerant Y Y Quercus prinus Chestnut Oak Y Y Quercus rubra Red Oak Deciduous Y Y Quercus shumardii Shumard Oak* Deciduous, good street tree Y Y Quercus stellata Post Oak Robinia pserdoacacia Black Locust Deciduous, hardy tree Taxodium distichum Bald Cypress Deciduous, specimen tree Y Thuja ‘Green Giant’ Green Giant Arborvitae Conifer, hardy/adapts well to saturated clay soils Y Zelkova serrata Green Vase Japanese Zelkova Deciduous, good street tree/fast growth Y Y Small Trees Acer palmatum Japanese Maple# Deciduous, specimen tree Amelanchier arborea Serviceberry# Deciduous, spring flowering Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam* Deciduous, tough urban-tolerant & wet-tolerant Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud*# Deciduous, spring flowering Cedrus atlantica Atlas Cedar Conifer, specimen tree Y Cedrus deodora Deodar Cedar Conifer, specimen tree Y x Cupressocyparis leylandii Leyland Cypress Conifer Y Chionanthus virginicus Fringe Tree*# Deciduous, specimen tree Cladratis kentukea American Yellowwood* Deciduous, specimen tree Scientific Name Common Name Comments Appropriate Planting Location Street Parking Lot Buffer Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood*# Deciduous, specimen tree Cornus kousa Kousa Dogwood# Deciduous, spring flowering Cotinus obovatus American Smoketree*# Deciduous, spring flowering Y Hamamelis virginiana Witch-hazel*# Deciduous, specimen Ilex x attenuate ‘Fosteri’ Fosters Holly# Broad-leaf, specimen tree/light shade-tolerant Y Ilex cassine Cassine Holly* Broad-leaf Y Ilex x ‘Emily Bruner’ Emily Bruner Holly# Broad-leaf Ilex x ‘Nellie R.

Stevens’ Nellie Stevens Holly Broadleaf Evergreen Y Ilex opaca American Holly* Evergreen (broad-leaf), specimen tree Y Ilex opaca ‘Greenleaf’ Greenleaf Holly Broad-leaf, compact habit of growth Y Ilex verticulata Winterberry* Evergreen, specimen Y Ilex vomitoria Yaupon Holly (Tree Form)* Evergreen, drought tolerant Y Illicium floridanum Florida Anise Shade tolerant Y Koelreuteria paniculata Golden Raintree Deciduous, drought tolerant Y Loropetalum chinense Loropetalum Semi-shade tolerant Y Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Magnolia* Semi-evergreen Y Malus ‘Callaway’/ x ‘Dolgo Callaway Crabapple#/ Dolgo Crabapple# Deciduous, flowering & fruit/ disease resistant Myrica cerifera Southern Wax Myrtle* Sun, drought tolerant Y Osmanthus americanus Devilwood* Shade tolerant Y Scientific Name Common Name Comments Appropriate Planting Location Street Parking Lot Buffer Ostrya virginica Ironwood* Evergreen, specimen Oxydendrum arboretum Sourwood Deciduous Y Pinus virginiana Virginia Pine Evergreen Y Pistacia chinensis Chinese Pistache Deciduous, hardy & heat-tolerant Prunus caroliniana Carolina Cherry Laurel Broad-leaf, susceptible to ice damage Y Prunus mume Japanese Apricot# Deciduous Prunus subhirtella var. autumnalis Fall Blooming Cherry# Deciduous, specimen Quercus myrsinifolia Chinese Evergreen Oak* Evergreen (broad-leaf), specimen tree Y Thuja occidentalis Northern White-Cedar; Eastern Arborvitae Y Ulmus alata Winged Elm* Deciduous, drought tolerant Y Table Notes:

(*) Indicates Native Species (#) Indicates Flowering Tree Species that may count toward site density factor

Reading grid · rebuilt for display · verify at source (p. 373)
§ 13-3-20

Tree Maintenance

In addition to the maintenance requirements of Section 13-2-8, the following apply to all trees installed and planted to comply with Section 13-3-20.

(a)The property owner must install and maintain trees in good and healthy condition equal to the original installation.
(b)Trees shall be regularly watered to ensure survival.
(c)Ground cover under trees shall be replaced when needed.
(d)Trees must be kept free of weeds, leaves and trash.
(e)Trees used to comply with this chapter must be arranged to ensure easy access for maintenance, maintain clear sight lines, avoid encroaching on neighboring properties, and consist of species appropriate for the proposed location.
(f)Trees used to comply with this section that die or are otherwise removed must be replaced with minimum 3-inch caliper tree within 30 days of the date of their death or removal. An extension may be granted by the Director when the season of the year is not appropriate for landscape planting.
(g)The subject property shall continually meet the Buffers, Landscaping and Tree Protection standard set forth in the ULDC, unless exempt from this Chapter.