Tree Protection in Apex, NC (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Apex, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Apex has no separate heritage-tree registry; instead, new development must survey and preserve 'specimen trees', any non-pine tree 18 inches or larger in caliper, within the required Resource Conservation Area under the town's Unified Development Ordinance.
Apex, NC Specimen Tree Protection Rules
Some RestrictionsApex Unified Development Ordinance § 8.1.2.B.2
Provide tree survey locating all specimen (hardwood) trees 18" caliper and larger within RCA and buffers on site. For North Carolina Certified Sites, the tree survey shall only be required within buffers. Fifty (50) feet outside of the perimeter of the site, document location of all trees 18" caliper and larger by providing an aerial photograph, registered forester's or certified...
Protected Tree Species
Apex's UDO protects any tree 18 inches or larger in caliper, except pines, as a 'Specimen Tree,' triggering preservation requirements in site plan and subdivision review across town limits and the ETJ.
Apex, NC Specimen Tree Protection Threshold
Some RestrictionsApex Unified Development Ordinance § 12.2
Specimen Tree Any tree other than a pine with a caliper of 18 inches or more. Stormwater Control Measure "Stormwater Control Measure" or "SCM," also known as "Best Management Practice" or "BMP," means a permanent structural device that is designed, constructed, and maintained to remove pollutants from stormwater runoff by promoting settling or filtration; or to mimic the natural hydrolo...
Parkway Planting
New developments along Apex thoroughfares must install streetscape buffer trees in linear or clustered plantings, giving each large canopy tree at least 350 square feet of pervious ground for root growth.
Apex, NC Street Tree Planting Standards
Some RestrictionsApex Unified Development Ordinance § 8.2.6
Street trees may be installed in a linear fashion or in clusters or groupings of larger and/or small trees in combination with associated plantings so as to enhance the visual appearance of the streetscape and views from adjacent properties. Each large canopy tree in the streetscape shall be provided wit...
Looking for Wake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Apex city rules.
Tree Protection in Wake County →