DeKalb County, GA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- DeKalb County Code § 14-39(k)
- Residential density trigger
- Over 3 units/acre
- Design standard
- County Code Chapter 27
- Applies to
- Unincorporated DeKalb only
- Maintenance period
- 2 growing seasons post-inspection
Summary
New commercial, office and industrial developments in unincorporated DeKalb, plus denser residential projects, must plant street trees and a landscape strip along new or widened roads per the county's Chapter 27 design standards.
(k)Street trees. Street trees and continuous landscape strips shall be provided, in conformance with the design requirements specified in Chapter 27 of the DeKalb County Code of Ordinances, along newly constructed streets, and along existing streets which are widened or realigned subsequent to the adoption of this ordinance, in all office, commercial, and industrial developments and along newly constructed streets of residential developments with a net residential density exceeding three (3) dwelling units per acre...
Full Breakdown
DeKalb County Code § 14-39(k) requires street trees and continuous landscape strips along newly constructed streets, and along existing streets that are widened or realigned, for all office, commercial and industrial developments plus residential developments denser than three dwelling units per acre. Design specifications are set by Chapter 27 of the county code. Trees counted toward the requirement must be maintained for two full growing seasons after final inspection. The rule applies to unincorporated DeKalb only; cities carved out of the county, such as Dunwoody and Brookhaven, run separate landscaping codes.
Violations & Fines
Failing to install required street trees blocks the certificate of occupancy under § 14-39(e)(3), and violations of the tree protection ordinance carry the per-tree penalties of § 14-39(p).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DeKalb require street trees for a new commercial building?
Do single-family subdivisions need street trees too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DeKalb County
Compare DeKalb County to another location·View the Georgia tree protection overview
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