TREE ORDINANCE GUIDELINES
Vegetation Removal Permits for Private Property Signage
City of Charlotte Tree Management Plan - Guidelines and Specifications
Charlotte Code of Ordinances, Chapter 21 (“Trees”)
(September 2000, amended February 2009; amended June 2010)
Chapter 12 Clearing the Right of Way Policy
From time to time, the City receives requests for permits to clear vegetation which
obstructs signs and buildings from businesses and property owners whose properties adjoin the
right of way. Whereas the City of Charlotte does not seek to obstruct or inhibit private enterprise,
its policy is to protect its assets and the appearance of the community by promoting landscaping
and trees along City streets and in the right of way. Based on the Tree Ordinance, codified in the
Charlotte City Code , section 21-63 , persons requesting to prune trees or remove trees and
shrubs from a right of way within the city limits must first obtain a permit from the City
Arborist or his/her designee. Trees and shrubs planted within the right of way will not be allowed
to be removed.
Pruning For Public and Private Property Signs, Lights, and Traffic
The City of Charlotte will work with any private business or property owner in pruning to
accommodate views of signs. Where resources are available, the City may do this work as its
schedule allows. However, trees in public rights of way may not be permitted to be pruned to the
point that it jeopardizes the health of the tree or violates the International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA) Standards for pruning. Two thirds of such tree must be left in canopy.
Clearance of vegetation in the public right of way for Private Property signs and lights by
private contractors will be at the direction of the City and by permit. This work must be
performed by an ISA Certified Arborist
The City will not permit removal of trees in the right of way in order to accommodate the
view of signs without a request and issuance of a permit. However, if a property owner wishes to
submit a plan for tree and/or shrub removal and replacement at no cost to the City and which
replacement of trees and/shrubs is of equal value to the loss, such a plan may be considered.
Clearance standards for purposes of public streetlights, sight distance, regulatory traffic
signs, traffic signals, and clearance for traffic (vertical and horizontal) will be determined by City
staff.
Businesses and Bill Boards – Federally Designated Interstate Highways
The City of Charlotte may permit a private business which has signs or billboards on
private property to clear underbrush consisting of small trees, shrubs, weeds, and vines from the
right of way if the signs are along Federally Designated Interstate Highways as designated by the
DOT and/or NCDOT and which were previously exempt from enforcement under the City
Zoning Ordinance. Unless otherwise allowed by the conditions of a permit, a private business or
property owners must preserve all trees or shrubs that are four (4) inches or larger in caliper at
time of removal. Smaller trees may be required to be preserved by City guidelines in order to
maintain the streetscape. All debris, tops, branches, and trunks generated as a result of this
clearing must be removed from the right of way by the end of the same day it was removed. All
debris must be disposed of in accordance with all federal, state and local laws. The pattern of the
vegetation control along the right of way must be in compliance with the rules and regulations of
the NCDOT. Removal of any trees and/or shrubs from the right of way which are larger than
allowed in the permit is strictly prohibited. Replacement trees and/or shrubs must comply with
the conditions of the permit.
Unless otherwise prohibited, pruning of the preserved trees may be allowed. This work
must be carried out under the supervision of an ISA Certified Arborist. All pruning must comply
with the guidelines of ISA Standards for Pruning. The permit will state the minimum/maximum
height at which the pruning will be allowed. Two thirds of the tree must be left in canopy.
All operations must be carried out in full compliance with the rules and regulations of the
U. S. DOT, NCDOT, CDOT, and OSHA. All operations shall also comply with the insurance
and liability requirements of each these agencies. The permitee shall agree to release and hold
harmless the State of North Carolina and the City of Charlotte.