Gwinnett County, GA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

On each property for which a Tree Preservation and/or Replacement Plan is required, existing trees shall be retained and new trees shall be planted such that the property shall attain or exceed a Tree Density Standard of 16 Tree Density Units per acre, or 20 Tree Density Units per acre as specified in the Overlay Districts, or 24 Tree Density Units per acre for limited land-disturbing activities (Sections 630-10.4, 5, 6 and 7).B.Trees, both existing and new, shall be reasonably distributed throughout the site, with emphasis on tree groupings to achieve aesthetic results following professional landscaping standards. Trees, including street trees, may be retained, or planted for credit within a public street right-of-way.C.Trees located in a stream buffer may be counted toward fulfilling the Tree Density Standard provided the acreage within the stream buffer is included in the calculations used to fulfill the Tree Density Standard.D.Trees, both existing and new, located in a temporary construction buffer may be counted toward fulfilling the Tree Density Standard provided the acreage within the temporary construction buffer is included in the calculations used to fulfill the Tree Density Standard.E.If a specimen tree's Critical Root Zone (CRZ) falls outside of the buffer partial credit may be obtained toward fulfilling the Tree Density Standard. See Section 630-30.5 in this UDO.