Tree Code Update Project

The Tree Code Project team is working with the community to update Gresham’s tree goals, policies, procedures and regulations.

“We’ve heard from a lot of people who want to protect and expand our tree canopy, and we’re excited to work with the community on this project,” said Senior Planner Mary Phillips.

Community tree goals and concerns

Thank you to everyone who spoke with the project team and took the Community Goals and Priorities Survey. We heard clearly that having trees in our city is very important. You told us that you want our updated tree policies to:

• Protect mature trees and groves of trees.
• Support plentiful to dense tree coverage.
• Promote places with a variety of both building and tree sizes.
• Reduce urban heat.
• Provide wildlife habitat.
• Improve air quality.
• Support healthy living.

The most common tree concerns we heard

• Lack of clarity about who is responsible for tree care or planting.
• Growing trees conflicting with infrastructure (such as damage to sidewalks, blocked signs, etc.).
• Safety hazards (dropped limbs in storms, street signals and signs blocked, etc.).
• Inappropriate tree pruning, maintenance or removal.

Code update approach

The project team shared the community’s vision and goals for trees with the Urban Forestry Subcommittee, Planning Commission and City Council. Based on your input and their direction, the updates to Gresham’s tree policies will include:

• Setting goals to increase tree canopy cover across the city and in neighborhoods.
• Creating rules to protect many existing trees, especially large, mature ones, while still allowing for growth and development.
• Requiring replacement trees in key areas when tree removal is necessary, particularly in places that lack enough trees to meet the community’s tree canopy goals.
• Establishing a tiered system to enforce these updated rules, with smaller penalties for minor violations and larger consequences for more serious ones.

Next, the project team will use this framework and the community’s vision to write drafts for specific updated rules for trees and development in Gresham.

Project background

The project is expected to last about two years, with additional work after the updated code goes into effect.

The Tree Code Project is part of the community vibrancy action items in the City's Strategic Plan.

Read more in the Year Two Action Plan.

Learn about the City’s current tree regulations and resources on the Trees page.