DC requires replacement planting or payment into the DC Tree Fund when protected trees are removed. The number and size of replacement trees depends on the circumference of the removed tree. The Tree Canopy Protection Amendment Act of 2016 strengthened replacement requirements.
When a Special Tree or Heritage Tree is removed in DC with a permit, the property owner must either plant replacement trees on-site or pay into the DC Tree Fund. Replacement ratios are based on the removed tree's circumference: generally one replacement tree for each 10 inches of circumference of the removed tree, with minimum replacement caliper sizes. The Tree Fund, administered by DDOT, uses collected fees to plant trees on public and private land throughout the District. The Tree Canopy Protection Amendment Act of 2016 (DC Law 21-133) increased replacement requirements and expanded the definition of protected trees. DC has a goal of achieving 40% tree canopy coverage by 2032. Developers must incorporate tree preservation and planting into site plans.
Failure to plant required replacement trees or pay into the Tree Fund results in additional fines. DDOT may enforce replacement requirements through code enforcement and permit conditions.
Washington, DC
Washington DC does not regulate lawn ornaments on private property through a specific ordinance. Statuary, religious displays, and decorative landscape eleme...
Washington, DC
Washington DC has no city ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays on private property. The primary city concerns are (1) public-space e...
Washington, DC
The District of Columbia does not impose specific install-by or take-down-by dates for holiday lights on private property. City-wide regulation is limited to...
Washington, DC
Washington DC requires Department of Buildings (DOB) permits for built-in outdoor kitchens that involve gas line installation, electrical work, plumbing, or ...
Washington, DC
Washington DC has no smoker-specific ordinance, but smokers and wood-fired ovens are open-flame cooking devices subject to IFC Section 308.1.4 in multi-famil...
Washington, DC
Washington DC adopts the International Fire Code (IFC) as the DC Fire Code (12-G DCMR). IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits charcoal and other open-flame cooking d...
See how Washington's tree replacement requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.