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Guide
Tree Care Ordinance Assistant
The Arbor Day Foundation Ordinance Assistance Tool is a straightforward resource designed to guide communities of any size through creating or strengthening tree care and tree protection ordinances, delivering clear language, best practices, and guidance for effective, enforceable policies.
Why a Community Tree Ordinance Matters
Having an official tree care policy, signals to residents and businesses that the community takes sustainability and livability seriously. Writing a community tree ordinance isn’t just bureaucratic paperwork — it’s a practical way to protect and enhance the community forest, and it pays off in measurable ways:
- Preserves Existing Trees
- Sets Consistent Standards
- Protects Property Values & Quality of Life
- Demonstrates Commitment to Sustainability
How it works
- Start Assessment: Our free assessment walks you through basic questions to help you understand your existing ordinances. Choose the responses that best represent your community's policies.
- Get Recommendations: Once the assessment is complete, we will display a results page with a ranking of your existing ordinances as Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced. Read through the results for suggestions on ways to improve or develop community tree ordinances.
- Access Resources: You can access additional resources to help your community with developing an ordinance, planning and policy guides, terms and definitions, and certifications relevant to community tree care.
- Take Action: The Ordinance Assistance Tool is designed to help guide decisions for your community. Use the results and resources provided to work with your community in creating or strengthening community forestry policies.
Get started
Strengthen your community
Clear rules give city staff, developers, and residents a legal framework for protecting mature trees, preventing needless removal and the loss of valuable ecosystem service.
When developing or revising a tree ordinance, we recommend you work with your community's legal counsel. Legal counsel will help ensure your ordinance complies with state and local requirements, properly establishes enforcement authority, and can achieve your community's goals, while avoiding potential legal challenges.
