Charlotte Heritage Tree Removal Requirements Explained by City Staff

The new Charlotte Uniform Development Ordinance (UDO) sets strict standards for the removal of a heritage tree on the owner’s property as well as for new developments. A heritage tree is defined as a tree native to North Carolina and at least 30 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH).

Trees native to North Carolina include white and red oak, maple, sweetgum, pine, flowering dogwood, tulip poplar, American beech, Eastern redbud, Southern magnolia, American holly, cornus, sweetbay, blackgum, yellow buckeye, birch, hickory, black tupelo, red spruce, black cherry, sycamore, chestnut oak, American linden, Canadian and Carolina hemlock, and many others which can be found in the U.S. Department of Agriculture database.

Charlotte Heritage Tree Removal Guidelines

The following step-by-step heritage tree removal guide was developed in partnership with the City of Charlotte’s tree preservation team as a way to help homeowners, arborist companies, and others with the permitting process and permit/exemption requirements.

1. Determine if the tree to be removed is a heritage tree as defined above.
2. Assuming the tree is a heritage tree, the property owner has two options for removal. For documentation, you would need an aerial photo (which can be obtained using Google Earth and a screen capture) showing the heritage tree location and location of the mitigation tree(s) as explained below. Also, the mitigation acknowledgement form. The permit process generally takes 5-10 business days.
3. Healthy trees would require a permit to remove. The permit is $340.00 plus mitigation. The mitigation options are to replant one tree and pay $500.00, two trees/pay $250.00, or 3 trees/no mitigation fee. You can also preserve a specimen tree if applicable. A specimen tree is a large maturing tree that is 20-29 inches diameter at breast height (DBH). Specimen trees can be located anywhere on the property except inside the city’s Right of Way (about five feet in from the street) or Tree Save Area (since those trees are already preserved). There is no mitigation fee associated with preserving a specimen tree.
4. Provide a Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) report from an ISA/TRAQ certified arborist stating that whole tree failure is likely within one to three years and is rated “high” or “extreme” risk. The report should include pictures of defects, the official ISA tree risk assessment report, an aerial photo showing the location of the heritage tree being removed with property lines, any nearby targets (structures which may be damaged if the tree falls), etc.
5. Create an account with Accela citizen’s access for Charlotte. Accela is an independent website used by government agencies for certain database and application services.
6. Submit documentation (exemption report or aerial photo/mitigation acknowledgement form) into Accela for Charlotte’s tree preservation team to review. Examples of what this process looks like are provided below.
7. The tree preservation team then reviews the documentation provided to determine if permit fees need to be assessed or not.

Dead and imminently hazardous trees (whole trees expected to fail within days/weeks/months) do not require permitting, however documentation, pictures, video, etc. are required.

Links to Learn More About Charlotte Tree Planting Guidelines

City Tree planting guidelines and requirements:

• https://www.charlottenc.gov/files/sharedassets/city/growth-and-development/getting-started/documents/uf-standard-planting-and-preservation-notes-01262022.pdf
• The requirements, permit fees, etc. do change with City Council,  annual canopy analysis results, and changes in leadership involved. The City’s tree preservation team recommends referring to its website (https://www.charlottenc.gov/Growth-and-Development/Getting-Started-on-Your-Project/Urban-Forestry) to stay up to date on all things related to the department’s requirements for development or non-development scenarios regarding trees.

Aerial view of property can be located from Google maps, Polaris3g mapping or another source.

• https://polaris3g.mecklenburgcountync.gov/
• https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2485376,-80.822272,12z?entry=
• Removal of heritage trees in the City Right of Way (usually between the street and sidewalk or about five feet) do not require a heritage tree permit; however, you will still need an approved permit from City of Charlotte Landscape Management (704) 336-4262.

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Example of a Charlotte Heritage Tree Work Permit

(provide  your own appropriate information)

Land Owner information: 1234 Street Address

Charlotte NC 28000

 

Site Location and description of the tree(s) location

On July 4^th, we were contacted to evaluate a heritage tree for complete removal due to unsightly branch structure concerns about exposure. This heritage tree is located at 600 E 4^th street in Charlotte North Carolina and centrally located within the parcel. There are many utilities located around the tree and the area immediately surrounding the base of the tree has an excessive amount of compaction which is contributing to the decline.

120” Fake Fur (Alumunious towerus)

This tree is centrally located on the parcel and is approximately 130’ tall. Currently the tree is located within a fenced area due to the property owner’s desire to protect the tree from a neighboring scrap metalenthusiast. Due to recent clearing activity, this tree is now exposed to the wind and the owners are concerned about the new exposure causing the tree to fall and damage their home. During the clearing activity this treewas damaged by other trees falling and has created a very unsightly branch structure and overly thin crown.

Mitigation

Per section 20-14 of the UDO, the owners would like to remove this tree and will be completing the following mitigation options that are outlined in the ordinance.

• 1 tree to be replanted as required (min 8’ tall and 2” caliper with a species from the approved list) See landscape plan.
• $500 mitigation payment to be made to the City of Charlotte in lieu of planting additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte Heritage Tree Removal Permit Acknowledgment Form:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Acknowledgment form can be found at https://charlotteudo.org/residential-reviews/

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TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment) Reports:

**All TRAQ Reports must include both pages of the approved ISA Tree Risk Assessment form and be submitted through Accela**

Declining Health Justification:

i: Submittal of the following documentation before or within 3 days of tree removal.

1. Current ISA Tree Risk Assessment Form completed by an ISA-Certified & TRAQ-qualified arborist.
2. Additional data will be needed to support assessment results such as pictures, report, analysis results, and aerial view of property where tree is located, etc..

ii. To qualify for declining health justification, the TRAQ assessment must specify:

1. 1. Entire tree failure may occur within a timeframe of 1-3 years with risk rating of High or Extreme per form’s Risk Rating Matrix 2.

 

 

 

Hazardous tree justification – likelihood of failure is imminent, meaning failure started or is mostlikely to occur in the near future (minutes, days, or < 2 weeks). Trees that require immediate action to protect people and property from harm.

Hazardous trees may be removed immediately without a permit; however, minimum documentation shallbe provided within 3 days of removal and shall include an assessment from an ISA-certified arborist or a combination of picture/video/witness statement evidence.

Documentation for removal of trees due to declining health and hazardous reasons must be provided to the City by property owners and/or contractors performing the removal work.

Failure to provide removal documentation before or within three days of tree removal may subject property owner and other related persons to civil penalties and fines.

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Charlotte Heritage Tree Plan Submittal

Start your submittal by visiting:

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/customization/common/home.aspx

 Click on “Start a New Application”

 

Click on “Select from List”

 

Click ‘Land Development’ then ‘Individual Residential Lot’

 

Create Log In

 

Accept Conditions

 

 Work Location

Add location of work, then click “Show map” and locate a parcel or address number.
If you don’t know parcel ID number, look up on Polaris database.

 

Detail Information:

• Project Name: Can use Heritage Tree Removal, TRAQ Exemption if applicable
• Scope of work: Define the project: State how many heritage trees will be removed and their size. Also include the mitigation option that will be used

Parcel Number:

• If you know the parcel number enter it otherwise use step 1 or Polaris to locate

Address:

• Enter location where tree work is to be done.
• If this is a tree that is on a shared property line, enter the address that will be responsible. Will also need acknowledgement form from both parties. (Also include in scope of work so it is clear)

 

Owner:

• Enter Property Owner Information.

  

Application Details:

• Identify Project Type: Heritage Tree Removal

  

Urban Forestry

• Select ‘Non-Development Heritage Tree Permit’ Only

 

Stormwater

*Pick Tier Summary that best describes activity. (Additional fees may apply)

 

Applicant Key Contact

• Can be either homeowner or contractor
• This is who Tree Preservation team will call with any questions.

 

Financially Responsible Party

 

Licensed Professional If Any

(Only if One Is Involved)

 

Document Upload:

 

Review

• Once you complete this step, an email will be sent to you. Open email, read and click link to upload your plans. 

Sample Email for Uploading Plans:

• Be sure to keep a copy of your Record number for future reference

• Upload landscape plan with information as outlined on the checklist. Make sure to click that plans are plot plans. Will need to also upload Acknowledgment Form. Your permit will not move to the review process until plans are uploaded.

• For more details, information or checklists please visit:

  https://charlotteudo.org/residential-reviews/

 

 

 

Time Frame Estimate for Non-Development Heritage Tree Permit

***Time frame is estimate only***

• Information Received: 1-2 business days- Once all information is provided, the team will assign the project
• Gateway Review– 3-5 business days for each department to review the permit. Depending on the work additional reviewers may be required.
• Pay Permit Fees – Pay fees. No further action will take place until permit fees are paid.
• Urban Forestry Detailed Review- 5-7 business days. Depending on if additional fees or revisions will be needed additional time may be required. Note each time a revision is needed the new review time starts over. If a specimen tree is used an urban forester will coordinate a time to visit the property to inspect the tree.
• Mitigation Payments – The permit will not be released until the fees are received.
• Urban Forestry Inspection – Property holder has 30 calendar days to plant the mitigation trees or seek a planting delay. Urban Forestry must complete a final inspection to ensure the tree(s) meet city standards and guidelines.  If accepted the permit will be assigned as complete.
• Note: Non-Development Heritage Tree Permits are only valid for one year once approved; this does not apply to mitigation tree planting.
• Note: if you submit for a non-development heritage tree permit, the mitigation tree(s) must be planted and accepted by the city before submitting plans for any development. Failure to do so can result in non-development permit being revoked and a new permit will need to be submitted under a development permit. Additional fees may occur.