Ballantyne Administration Strengthens Tree Preservation Ordinance to Better Protect Urban Canopy

The City of Somerville’s Department of Public Space and Urban Forestry (PSUF) is sharing updates to its Tree Preservation Ordinance, reinforcing the City’s commitment to protecting trees on both public and private land. The amended ordinance, approved by the City Council on May 15, 2025, includes strengthened requirements for tree removal and new protections for significant trees affected by construction. 

Under the new ordinance, owner-occupants of one- to three-family homes with a residential exemption must now partially offset the loss when they remove a tree. In the past, these homeowners did not have to provide any mitigation. Now, they must meet 10% of the standard replanting or payment requirement. This is a significant reduction—currently $60 per caliper inch of tree removed instead of the standard $600 per caliper inch. 

Since 2019, Somerville has required permits for the removal of noninvasive trees measuring 8 inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH). The updated ordinance maintains that requirement and now also strengthens the standards for how significant public and private trees must be protected during construction. Contractors must follow a tree protection plan using industry-standard practices before work begins and maintain protections throughout the construction process. The City’s Tree Warden has the authority to require modifications to ensure compliance. 

As before, emergency tree removals, including dead, dying, or hazardous trees certified by an arborist, remain exempt from the tree removal permit process. Permits are still not required for removal of trees under 8 inches DBH or invasive species under 24 inches DBH, with the exception of Tree of Heaven, which is always exempt regardless of size. 

The updated ordinance was proposed by the City’s Urban Forestry Committee and shaped by public input during a series of City Council meetings in spring 2025. 

To learn more about the requirements, apply for a permit, and learn more visit: somervillema.gov/tree-removal-guidelines or email trees@somervillema.gov. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.