Tree Conservation

Process Description
Establishment of Tree Conservation Areas is required by City Code Chapter 10 Section 2082.14 for parcels two (2) acres and larger in size for vacant or developed properties. Formal plans to establish tree conservation areas are called tree conservation plans and may enter the City’s review process through several paths as defined below. Sites that are two (2) acres and larger that are doing tree disturbing activity, except a minor tree removal activity, are required by City Code Chapter 10 Section 2072 to do one of the following:

Set up tree protection buffers (size of the buffer is dependant upon the adjacent property use)
Establish tree conservation areas
Record with the local County Register of Deeds a convenant stating no building permit, site plan or subdivision will be approved for a period of five (5) years

Site Plans (Planning Commission/City Council Approved; Staff Approved) and Subdivision Plans submitted to the Planning Department are called preliminary reviews and must contain tree conservation plans for lots two acres or larger in size. After receiving preliminary approval, each preliminary tree conservation plan must also undergo a final review by the Inspections Department that can be done either as a Standard Commercial, Standard Residential or Express Review in order to obtain the required tree conservation permit. Tree conservation and grading reviews are typically done during the same plans review; however, a tree conservation review may be done separately, if requested.

Commercial projects on lots two acres and larger in size, that do not need preliminary plan approval from the Department of City Planning, may be submitted directly to the Inspections Department for review using either the Standard Commercial, Standard Residential or Express review process. These reviews require tree conservation plans as part of the plan submittal package in order to obtain the required tree conservation permit.

Tree conservation areas are also required when building a single-family home on a lot two acres or larger in size because this construction is defined as a site plan by the City Code. In these instances, the tree conservation plan must be included as part of the Standard Residential plan submittal in order to obtain the required tree conservation permit.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

If site plan is required to go through a preliminary review, it will be submitted to the City of Raleigh Department of City Planning. Reference the Preliminary Review guidelines
All subdivision plans are required to go through the City of Raleigh Department of City Planning. Reference the Subdivision guidelines
When a grading permit and a tree conservation permit are applied for at the same time, a tree protection fence must be erected prior to issuance of the grading permit. Reference the following documents: Tree Protection Plan Checklist, Tree Protection Fence Detail, and Standard Temporary Silt Tree Protection Fence Detail
A tree conservation permit is required before the tree conservation areas can be recorded with the local county Register of Deeds office. The plat of tree conservation areas and a copy of the tree conservation permit, must be submitted to the Department of City Planning for map recordation
Tree conservation areas must be recorded with the local county Register of Deeds prior to the issuance of a building permit

How do I start the process?

Read and become familiar with the Tree Conservation Ordinance (2005 762TC264; TC-7-04 (City Code Chapter 10 Section 2082.14)
Reference the User’s Manual for TC-7-04 as a guide to the Tree Conservation Ordinance
After reading these documents and applying them to your site, you may have some questions. For more information, contact the Inspections Department Forestry Specialists: Andy Gilliam (919) 516-2552, Chris Crum (919) 516-2561 or Mary Ann Metcalf (919) 516-2562

What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package

City of Raleigh Permit Application
Three (3) sets of tree conservation plans (Tree Conservation Plans Checklist)

A Tree Conservation review will be done as a part of these processes:

Preliminary Plans:
            Planning Commission - City Council Approved Site Plans
            Staff Approved Site Plans (Group Housing)
            Infill Subdivision Plans
            Subdivision Plans
            Expedited Subdivision Plans

Grading

Commercial Building Plans:
      Standard Review Also Includes Condos, Townhomes, and Apartments
      Express Review

Residential Building Plans - Single Family & Duplex
      Standard Review
      Redi Review
      Certified Review

What additional documents may be needed?

Three (3) tree cover reports, if applicable. These are only needed when you have secondary tree conservation areas. Requirements of a tree cover report are in the City Code Chapter 10 Section 2082.14(c)(2)
Three (3) aerial photographs or an actual survey of trees may be submitted in lieu of photos per City Code Chapter 10 Section 2082.14(c)
Three (3) tree conservation plan data sheets

Where can I find detailed information regarding submittals?

Commercial Building Plans - Standard Review

Where do I submit my application?

Office:              City of Raleigh
Department:    Inspections
Division:           Permits
Address:          One Exchange Plaza Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 27601
Adjacent to:     219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #:          (919) 516-2573
Hours:              8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What are the keys to success?

The plans should include: tree conservation areas in the correct location (based on code priorities) with the standardized names, acreage of each area, metes and bounds, aerial photo, tree cover report (for secondary tree conservation areas), and tree conservation plan data sheet
A tree conservation permit is required before the tree conservation areas can be recorded with the local county Register of Deeds office
Tree conservation areas must be recorded prior to or concurrent with subdivision recording
Tree conservation areas must be recorded with the local county Register of Deeds office prior to issuance of a building permit
Review the Standardized Names for tree conservation areas prior to preparing submittal
Tree Conservation Seminar may provide more informative details

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

See Tree Conservation Permit Fees and Fee Schedule
The tree conservation area permit is $850 per acre of tree conservation area (not less than $200, not more than $5,000 and not to exceed the cost of tree conservation area required)
Fee is due at the end of the process before permit is issued
Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
All fees are processed by the Inspections Department cashiers located at One Exchange Plaza Suite 404

How long will this process take?

First review cycle takes approximately five (5) business days
Re-review cycles take approximately three (3) days each
Review cycles are dependent upon the completeness of the plans submittal package and the client’s responsiveness to plan review comments

Guide Home Page

For More Information Contact:
Andy Gilliam
Forestry Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2552

Chris Crum
Forestry Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2561

Mary Ann Metcalf
Forestry Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2562

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