Winston-Salem/Forsyth County requires tree preservation on development, not on routine homeowner tree removal. Any project needing a land-disturbing (erosion control) permit must meet UDO tree-preservation standards; single homeowners doing non-construction tree work are exempt.
Under the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO, 'Any development project or building permit requiring a land-disturbing permit (erosion control permit), either issued through the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Office or the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), unless otherwise exempted by the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), must comply with the Tree Preservation requirements of UDO Section B.3-4.2 and B.3-4.2.1.' If existing trees are preserved for credit, the landscape plan must be sealed by a licensed NC professional. The 2009 ordinance applies to construction/development, 'not to homeowners... on their own trees without any associated construction/development work.'
Failure to meet UDO tree-preservation, tree-save-area, or replacement standards can block issuance or approval of the land-disturbing/erosion-control permit and require replanting or plan revision.
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See how Forsyth County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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