Chapel Hill, NC Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

LUMO Appendix A Section 5.7 (Tree Protection) is the operative tree-removal authority in Chapel Hill. Its applicability provision reaches all work impacting trees on non-residential and multi-family lots and any work on single- and two-family lots that disturbs more than 5,000 square feet. Once triggered, the applicant must submit a Landscape Protection Plan to the Town Manager showing the location and CRZ of all trees within 50 feet of disturbance (including off-site trees) and a tree-protection sequence covering measures before, during, and after construction. Section 5.7.6 defines rare and specimen trees by DBH, species (Hornbeam, Holly, Magnolia, Hophornbeam, Hemlock among others), champion-tree status, endangered habitat, or Town-Council-designated historical significance; protected trees may not be removed without Town approval. Section 5.7 also requires retention or replacement to meet minimum canopy-coverage standards that vary 20%–40% based on land use, with the highest priority being on-site canopy retention; mitigation payments into the Town tree-mitigation fund may be substituted when on-site canopy is not practicable. State law limits the Town's reach: NCGS 160D-921 prohibits local regulation of forestry activity on forestland taxed under present-use value (NCGS Chapter 105 Article 12) or operated under a registered forester's plan, except in connection with development. NCGS 160D-921(c) allows the Town to deny a building permit or refuse a site or subdivision plan for up to three years following a timber harvest that removed substantially all trees that would have been protected under local development regulations.