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City of Vancouver Washington

Tree Requirements for Development Projects

To maintain a healthy urban forest and quality of life in Vancouver, the City of Vancouver administers Street Tree and Tree Conservation Ordinances. These codes include tree requirements during development. For more information, view the Street Tree Code, Chapter 12.04 and Tree Conservation Code, chapter 20.770.

Tree Preservation and Planting Requirements for Development

All trees on private property may not be removed unless permitted through Title 20.770 or through an approved permit.

All trees and native vegetation located in a critical area or shoreline district are to be protected and preserved as outlined in Critical Areas Ordinance Chapter 20.740. Oregon White oaks, even individual Oregon White oaks, are designated a priority habitat by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and shall be retained and protected.

Existing street trees and Heritage Trees (VMC 20.770.120) are to be protected and preserved. An approved permit from the Urban Forestry is required to remove, destroy, cut, break, or injure any street tree.

Title 20.770 requires a minimum tree density of 30 tree units per acre to be planted on private property. This tree density is to be achieved through preservation of existing quality trees and replanting new trees. Projects shall protect existing trees, vegetation and soils and incorporate them into Tree, Vegetation and Soil Plan. This includes evaluation of trees, vegetation and existing soils and incorporating these existing resources into the design of the project. The assistance of a qualified arborist is required to develop this plan. Projects shall be designed to minimize native vegetation loss to the maximum extent feasible. This requires examining multiple design options to minimize native vegetation loss. The city can and will require site redesign if the existing trees and vegetation are not incorporated into the design of projects.

New trees shall be spaced appropriately to provide for the eventual mature size of the trees per VMC 20.770.080.D. Per VMC 20.770.080.D trees shall optimize tree diversity; include native species and at least 60% conifers; utilize insect and disease resistant trees. Include native conifer calculation of 60% with tree density calculations.  

Required new trees are to be actual trees to meet the purpose and goals of 20.770, not large shrubs, hedge plants, fruit trees, weeping trees, or dwarf trees. Here is a list of Approved Trees that count towards tree units.

Contact Urban Forestry before planting trees that are not on the list, there is a reason that the tree or cultivar is not an approved tree for tree units. Projects could still plant these plants just not take credit for these plants as tree units.

Title 20.925.060 requires street trees to be planted in new development projects fronting or on a public street or private street. Street trees are required as part of new development projects and considered city infrastructure that provides numerous services to the community. Street trees are not viewed as sight obstructions; and can be located in sight distance triangles. Street trees shall be between 20-30 feet on center depending on conflicts such as street lights. Street trees shall not be more than 30 feet on center. Street trees shall not be closer than 15 feet to street lights. For attached sidewalks, plant street trees 3-4 feet behind sidewalks. Root barriers are required per City standard along detached and attached sidewalks.

Maximize the benefits of trees within the right of way by utilizing large, long-lived, climate adaptive site appropriate trees. View the City of Vancouver’s approved street tree list for a list of trees approved for different size planter strips or frontage types

Bioretention facilities located within the right of way shall be designed around required street trees. If the bioretention facility cannot be designed around the required street trees, either do not use bioretention in the right of way or the bioretention facility design shall incorporate required street trees. If street trees will be placed within bioretention, work with the City Surface Water Engineer to ensure bioretention facility design can incorporate street trees. For a list of approved Bioretention Trees, contact Urban Forestry or City Surface Water Engineer.

Title 20.925 requires buffer trees to be planted at a minimum 1 tree every 30 feet along all property lines. 

Deciduous trees required for projects are to be at least 2” caliper in size and conifers are to be at least 6’ tall or based on Table 20.770.080-2.

Tree location guidelines

All trees must be shown on the site or landscape plans at the time a permit is applied for during site plan review or plat approval. All required landscaping and trees must be planted prior to occupancy being granted. Here is a link to the inspection sheet city staff will be utilizing to verify required trees are planted in appropriate locations prior to issuing occupancy. 

Trees with height of more than 25’ at maturity shall not be planted under power lines. Lower tree branches on street trees should be shortened or removed to provide physical and visual clearance.

Trees shall not be planted closer than:

Files

Urban Forestry Site Inspection Sheet