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

Walker County Code § 16-51 protects the steep-slope, high-elevation ground on Lookout Mountain and Pigeon Mountain from the erosion, landslide and habitat damage that unregulated grading can cause. No land use permit or building permit may issue for any activity, land use, building or structure inside a designated protected mountain area or protected steep slope area until the Planning Director has reviewed a site plan or subdivision plat showing compliance, per § 16-51(1). Once work begins, it must track that approved plan exactly. The tree-removal cap sits in § 16-51(2)(j): a person doing land-disturbing activity in these areas cannot take out more than 50 percent of the existing trees exceeding 8 inches in diameter, measured 4½ feet above ground, unless a plan of reforestation prepared by a registered forester is filed with the permit application.

Commercial builders face an added landscaping-plan duty under § 16-51(2)(i): a commercial building permit application must identify every tree over 8 inches slated for removal, propose replacements, and include a topographic survey and environmental assessment. The same article layers on density limits (one single-family home per acre, minimum 100-foot lot width) and a 40-foot structure height cap measured from the ridge line. Agriculture, forestry following state Best Management Practices, and DNR-permitted mining are exempt under § 16-51(3). Property owners who believe the standard cannot reasonably be met on their lot can seek relief from the Board of Commissioners under the variance procedure in § 16-52.