What's Happening in Portland, OR…

Starting in July, Portland’s unpopular tree codes fees will in most cases be either eliminated or reduced, which the city hopes will shine a positive light on both Urban Forestry staff and the code they are tasked with implementing.

The change in fee policy is the result of $400,000 from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, which was derived from a 1 percent tax on the city’s large retailers. These funds will replace the revenues lost to the changes in tree code fees. The reduction or elimination of fees is to ease the financial burden imposed on homeowners wishing to remove trees from their property while still ensuring Portland’s tree canopy is maintained. Brochure printing services are useful in keeping residents informed of city policies.

Beginning in July, residents will no longer have to pay a removal and replanting permit fee or for applying chemicals, street tree pruning and administrative appeals and reviews. Also done away with will be permit fees for attaching cables or installing ornamental lighting to street trees. Urban Forestry will still exert some control over tree removing to ensure healthy trees are not haphazardly removed and pruning and removal permission is still required but will in most instances be waived. A reduction from $100 to $50 will be implemented on replanting waiver application fees.

Remaining in place will be fines for civil penalty and restoration levied against residents for serious tree removal or pruning violations.