The ACC Community Tree Management Ordinance regulates the Quantity, Quality, and Distribution of trees in Athens-Clarke County.
The tree management plan (TMP) is the tool the ordinance established to ensure compliance. The ACC Arborist reviews each TMP. If trees on the TMP are located in the ACC right-of-way (ROW), the ACC Community Forester also reviews the TMP. Whether these ROW trees are existing or proposed, the ACC Forester must approve them, including species, location and tree protection fence location if necessary.
Tree management plans are mandatory whenever a site plan submittal is required. A few examples of when a site plan is necessary include any kind of work which requires a land disturbance activity permit, planning a new development, adding structural or site improvements to an existing development or creating a preliminary plat.
New or existing developments adding structural or site improvements as defined in 9-25-2
Developments requiring a land disturbance activity permit.
Single family homes zoning permit on a plat approved in 2005 or later.
TMP showing compliance with conserved canopy only.
Preliminary Plat
TMP showing existing conditions only.
Developments requiring a site review submittal, but not meeting the thresholds set in 9-25-2 or requiring a land disturbance activity permit.
If you have questions about the ordinance pre-submittal, an appointment can be made with the ACC Arborist pre-submittal at trees@accgov.com. They can visit you on-site or sit down with you at the ACC Planning Department to discuss your TMP.