The Urban Forestry Division of DDOT regulates all street trees, and DOEE administers the Urban Forestry Preservation Act for private-property trees. Any tree with a circumference of 44 inches or more (about 14 inches DBH) is a 'Special Tree'; 100+ inch circumference trees are 'Heritage Trees' and cannot be removed except when hazardous. Permits are required, and fees or replacement plantings apply.
DC has one of the most aggressive urban tree protection regimes in the US. Two overlapping laws apply. The Urban Forestry Preservation Act of 2002 (DC Law 14-309, codified at DC Code section 8-651.01 et seq.) and the Tree Canopy Protection Amendment Act of 2016 (DC Law 21-145) establish tiered protection for trees on private property based on trunk circumference measured at 4.5 feet above grade. 'Special Trees' (44 to 99 inches circumference, roughly 14-31 inches DBH) require a DOEE removal permit, and the applicant must either plant replacement trees or pay a fee into the Tree Fund ($55 per inch of circumference removed). 'Heritage Trees' (100+ inches circumference, roughly 32+ inches DBH) are prohibited from removal unless hazardous and certified by a DC-licensed arborist. Trees on public space (street trees and park trees) are managed by DDOT Urban Forestry Division under DC Code section 9-401 et seq. and cannot be removed, pruned significantly, or damaged by private parties without a DDOT Urban Forestry permit. Penalties for unauthorized removal of public trees can reach $300 per inch of circumference. DOEE conducts routine enforcement and responds to 311 complaints. Replacement trees must come from an approved species list (native/adapted).
Special Tree removed without permit: $300 per inch of circumference per DC Code 8-651.05, plus replacement or tree fund fee. Heritage Tree removed: fine equal to circumference value plus criminal referral. Public space tree damage: $300/inch plus replacement cost. Construction damage to protected trees: up to $10,000.
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