Expanded Protections for Palo Alto Trees Proposed

The City of Palo Alto is working to update its Tree Ordinance, and invites you to provide input at an upcoming Community Meeting. 

Currently, there are several policy documents that guide the City of Palo Alto’s approach to our urban forest. Proposed updates to the Tree Ordinance would complement these policy documents and comply with new state legislation.  

The suggested additions to Palo Alto’s Tree Ordinance are aimed at protecting our urban forest in several significant ways. The urban forest includes street trees, park trees, forested parklands, and trees in many private ownership settings. These trees affect our lives and local economy by reducing the effects of urban density, increasing property values, removing air pollutants, sequestering greenhouse gases, and mitigating stormwater.  

Several changes to the current Tree Ordinance are being considered, including: 

• Expanding the number of protected native species to preserve and expand the urban forest 
• Introducing a protected tree size threshold of 15-inch diameter at breast height (DBH) for all other species excluding invasive and high-water users 
• Introducing a Designated Arborist system that would create a list of City-approved arborists for all applicants, including residents, to choose from when submitting development applications 
• A development moratorium when protected trees are removed outside of the development process 
• Revising reasons for allowable removal of protected trees to reflect situations where protected trees are negatively impacting structures 
• Expanding notification requirements and appeals procedures 

These changes aim to increase native drought-tolerant species, climate adapted species, and canopy cover while minimizing negative effects of development and increasing community and social benefits. Community members are invited to voice their opinions on the proposed changes at the upcoming Tree Ordinance Update Community Meeting on Wednesday, April 6 at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.  

After the Tree Ordinance Update Community Meeting, the City will conduct Study Sessions to review the Update along with feedback from the Architectural Review Board and Parks and Recreation Commission. Information will be posted at www.paloalto.gov/TreeOrdinanceUpdate throughout the entire process. Check back for updates or follow us on social media to stay informed.