Atlanta Passes Major Tree Protection Ordinance Update

The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved a major update to the city's Tree Protection Ordinance, the first significant revision since 2001, to address declining tree canopy. The ordinance increases tree removal fees to $140 per diameter inch and doubles fines for illegal removal to $200,000 per acre, both effective January 1, 2026 and subject to inflation adjustments. An annual $400,000 fund will assist low-income seniors with hazardous tree removal, and additional funding has been allocated for city arborists. The ordinance requires tree service companies to register with the city and introduces credits for replanting new trees at 1.25 times the removed diameter. While city officials view the measure as a balanced compromise, environmental advocates criticize it for not sufficiently preventing canopy loss and for allowing concessions to developers. Concerns also remain about the quality and type of replacement trees under the new rules.