Washington, DC: Urban Forest Preservation Act
Policy Title: Urban Forest Preservation Act
Year Adopted: 2002, 2022
City: Washington, D.C.
Main Citation: Code of the District of Columbia § 8–651.04. Preservation of Special Trees; permits; penalties.
Description:
Washington, D.C.'s Urban Forest Preservation Act of 2002 is an essential part of the city’s effort to protect and expand its urban tree canopy. Recognizing the vital role trees play in cooling neighborhoods, managing stormwater, improving air quality, and enhancing public health, the legislation regulates the removal of significant trees and promotes long-term tree preservation.
A key aspect of the Act is the designation of Special Trees—any tree with a circumference of 55 inches or more. Property owners must obtain a Special Tree Removal Permit before cutting down such trees, ensuring that removals are carefully considered. If a Special Tree is removed, a fee of $55 per inch of circumference must be paid into the Tree Fund, which supports tree planting and maintenance throughout the city.
To further strengthen protections, the Urban Forest Preservation Authority Amendment Act of 2022 was introduced, proposing to expand the definition of Special Trees to include those with a circumference of 44 inches or more. The amendment also aimed to increase the removal fee to $100 per inch, discouraging unnecessary tree removals while generating additional resources for urban reforestation.
The city also protects Heritage Trees, which have a circumference of 100 inches or more. Unlike Special Trees, removal of healthy Heritage Trees is prohibited unless deemed hazardous. These regulations ensure that the city’s largest and most ecologically valuable trees remain in place.
Beyond tree removal policies, the Act established the Tree Fund, which helps finance tree planting initiatives and maintenance efforts. The fund ensures that when trees are lost, they are replaced, supporting the long-term health of D.C.’s urban forest.
Impact:
Washington, D.C.’s Urban Forest Preservation Act is a best practice in using enforcement of regulations to protect mature urban trees. By legally designating Special Trees (55-inch circumference) and Heritage Trees (100-inch circumference), the city ensures that significant trees cannot be removed without oversight. Strict permitting requirements and high removal fees—with proposed increases to further deter cutting—make it financially and legally challenging to take down mature trees without justification. The city enforces these protections by directing removal fees into the Tree Fund, ensuring replanting and maintenance. This regulatory framework creates accountability, discourages unnecessary tree loss, and strengthens urban canopy preservation.
Additional Resources:
“Tree Preservation.” DDOT Urban Forestry.