Urban Forestry

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Protecting Charlotte's Tree Canopy

The City of Charlotte's tree preservation requirements protect trees in public street rights-of-way and on private property. These requirements support City Council's tree canopy policies outlined in the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the Urban Forest Master Plan.

Tree Preservation & Requirements

Choose the section below that applies to your project.

Development Projects

Tree canopy requirements for development projects within Charlotte city limits and the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) are located in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Article 20 – Landscape, Screening, & Tree Preservation (Sections 20.12–20.18).

Development projects must address tree preservation in four areas:

  • Perimeter trees
  • Internal trees
  • Green area
  • Heritage tree preservation

Projects with conditional zoning approved by City Council before June 1, 2023, must comply with the Legacy Charlotte Tree Ordinance.

Helpful Links

Non-Development Requirements

Tree preservation requirements that are not related to development are located in the Charlotte Tree Ordinance.

These requirements include protections for:

  • City street trees
  • Heritage trees
  • Other non-development tree preservation requirements

A Heritage Tree Removal Permit is required for qualifying heritage tree removals that are not associated with a development project.

Helpful Links

Urban Forestry Services

The Urban Forestry Group administers and implements the City's development and non-development tree preservation requirements. Services include:

  • Development plan review
  • Site inspections
  • Heritage tree permitting
  • Continuing compliance inspections
  • Conditional rezoning processes
  • Tree preservation ordinance enforcement

Find Your Urban Forestry Team

  • Commercial & Subdivision Team - Reviews commercial developments, single-family subdivisions, and non-residential infill projects.
  • Residential Team - Reviews single-family and duplex infill development on individual lots.
  • Preservation Team - Conducts long-term compliance inspections, investigates ordinance violations, and manages the non-development heritage tree permitting process. 

Helpful Links

Urban Forestry Staff Contact List

Urban Forestry Area Map (Charlotte Explorer)

Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) - Article 20 

Charlotte Tree Ordinance

Charlotte Tree Advisory Commission

The Charlotte Tree Advisory Commission's mission is to achieve a community-wide recognition that trees and landscaping are an integral part of our quality of life, and it is the responsibility of all citizens to provide for and protect our urban forest environment.​

Charlotte Tree Manual & Legacy Guidelines

Crown Tree Awards

The Crown Tree Awards celebrate Charlotte’s amazing urban forest and the citizens who preserve, grow and advocate for it. The Awards are managed by the Charlotte Tree Advisory Commission, on behalf of The Mayor and City Council.

City of Trees - Canopy Care Certification (Coming Soon)

The City of Charlotte is developing the City of Trees - Canopy Care Certification program for tree care companies and landscape contractors. The program will provide training on Charlotte's tree preservation requirements and best practices for protecting the community's tree canopy. Once available, this page will include a directory of Canopy Care Certified contractors for residents and property owners.

Contact Info

For Urban Forestry questions or more information regarding tree preservation & planting requirements, contact:


Mailing Address:

Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center

Attn: Community Tree Canopy Preservation Division

600 East Fourth Street (8th Floor)
Charlotte, NC  28202

Phone Number: 980-395-3607

Email: CTCP@charlottenc.gov

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