Apex, NC Tree Protection: Tree Replacement Requirements (2026)

UDO Article 8 (General Development Standards) governs landscape installation and maintenance for new development and redevelopment. Section 8.2 sets out General Landscaping Design Standards, Maintenance Responsibility and Replacement of Damaged Vegetation, Building Landscaping Requirements, and Vehicle Use Area Landscaping. Required landscape material that dies or is removed must be replaced by the property owner to maintain compliance with the approved landscape plan. Buffer yards, vehicle use area landscaping, and screening required by Section 8.2 are subject to the same replace-on-removal duty. Trees in Resource Conservation Areas (RCAs) established under Section 8.1 generally cannot be removed without Town approval; if approved, replacement obligations may be imposed as a condition. Apex does not impose a town-wide replacement ratio (such as 2-for-1) on tree removal from private established residential lots, because state law (NCGS 160D-921) restricts general tree-removal regulation outside the development context. Replacement species must come from the Town's approved landscape plant list and meet UDO size/caliper standards at installation. Tree Citizen Advisory Panel (TreeCAP) recommendations have called for strengthening replacement standards as part of broader tree-canopy restoration efforts following the documented 15% canopy loss from 2010-2020.