Getting Started with Virginia Tree Ordinances

Before you start crafting a tree ordinance for your community, it is important to familiarize yourself with these statutes from the Code of Virginia.

Relevant Commonwealth legislation.  Virginia is a Dillon Rule state.  Therefore, Virginia municipalities have limited power to regulate the activities of their citizens. Creating a municipal tree ordinance requires enabling legislation from the General Assembly. Below are relevant statutes in the Code of Virginia that enable municipalities to create tree ordinances. 

• Resource Protection Areas, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
• Tree conservation ordinance; civil penalties.
• Replacement of trees during development process in certain localities.
• Conservation of trees during land development process in localities belonging to a nonattainment area for air quality standards.
• Conservation of trees; notice of infill lot grading plan.
• Replacement of trees during development process in localities.
• Destruction of trees, shrubs, etc.
• Cutting or damaging trees; damaging bridges; damaging markers; obstructing highways; penalty.
• Tree-trimming policies.
  

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Tree ordinance links.  Check out these websites for additional information on tree ordinances.

• A Select Review of the Virginia State Code for Trees and Forests
• Municode.com - Code of Virginia Localities
• Urban Forestry South - Ordinance Resources
• International Society of Arboriculture - Tree Ordinance Guidelines
• Arbor Day Foundation - Sample City Tree Ordinance
• American Society of Consulting Arborists - Tree Ordinances webpage
• Pennsylvania Land Trust – Guide to Tree Ordinances
• Trees and Local Regulations in North Carolina
• Texas A&M - Tree Ordinance Tutorial