Chapter 10 Tree Canopy, Landscaping and Open Spaces Part 1 Tree Canopy Regulations Page 2 of 2

10.1.5 Calculation

  1. Any development site greater than two acres in size shall be permitted to determine the area of existing tree canopy coverage to be preserved by ground checking, aerial analysis, or any other method determined to be accurate by DPDS staff. If ground checking is utilized, then each individual tree (i.e. a tree not grouped with other trees or a Part of a tree stand) intended to be retained and used to meet the tree canopy requirements herein shall be measured to determine its caliper and the credit given for that tree shall be in accordance with Table 10.1.3, below.
  2. For any development site two acres or less in size the area of tree canopy coverage for any group of trees to be retained in order to meet the tree canopy requirements of this Part shall be determined by ground checking. Credit for existing trees intended to be retained may be calculated in either of two ways:
    1. measurement of the trunk to determine its caliper and the credit given for that tree shall be in accordance with Table 10.1.3, below; or
    2. the dripline may be plotted on the site plan and tree canopy credit given for the percentage of the site within the dripline.
  3. NOTE: Street tree bonus: for example, a development that provides three Type A trees and two inches in caliper shall receive credit for 2,250 sq. ft. of tree canopy.
    New trees planted to meet the requirements of this Part shall be given credit in accordance with Table 10.1.3, below. Such trees must meet the standards of Chapter 10 Part 4 at the time of planting.
  4. Street trees planted in accordance with Section 10.2.8 shall qualify for a 25% bonus in the amount of credit listed in Table 10.1.3. This credit shall apply to street trees that are mandated as well as those planted on a voluntary basis.
  5. In calculating the required number of trees, fractions less than .5 shall be dropped and greater than or equal to .5 shall be rounded up.

Table 10.1.3 Deciduous Tree Canopy Credit

Chapter 1 Caliper Chapter 2
Tree Type**		 Chapter 3 Amount of Credit
(per tree)
10 inches or greater Type A 1,200 sq. ft. (100% mature canopy size)
Type B 720 sq. ft. (100% mature canopy size)
Type C 177 sq. ft. (100% mature canopy size)
Greater than or equal
to 3 inches and less
than 10 inches		 Type A 960 sq. ft. (80% mature canopy size)
Type B 576 sq. ft. (80% mature canopy size)
Type C 142 sq. ft. (80% mature canopy size)
Greater than or equal
to 1 3/4 inches and
less than 3 inches 		Type A 720 sq. ft. (60% mature canopy size)
Type B 432 sq. ft. (60% mature canopy size)
Type C 106 sq. ft. (60% mature canopy size)
Greater than or equal
to 1 inch and less than
1 ¾ inches*		 Type A 600 sq. ft. (50% mature canopy size)
Type B 360 sq. ft. (50% mature canopy size)
Type C 89 sq. ft. (50% mature canopy size)

* See Chapter 10, Part 4 for criteria to plant trees less than 1 ¾ inch caliper.
** Trees are categorized as A, B and C—Large, Medium and Small; refer to Appendix 10A for species that fall within each category.

NOTE: Table 10.1.3 give credit for 50% of the mature canopy size when a 1 3/4" 3" caliper tree is planted. "Caliper" - The diameter of a tree trunk, measured 6 inches above the ground for newly installed trees and at 4 feet- 6 inches above the ground (breast height) for existing trees.

Table 10.1.4 Evergreen Tree Canopy Credit

Height Tree Type* Amount of Credit (per tree)
15 feet and greater Type A 1,200 sq. ft. (100% mature canopy size)
Type B 720 sq. ft. (100 % mature canopy size)
Type C 177 sq. ft. (100% mature canopy size)
Greater than or equal
to 9 feet and less
than 15 feet		 Type A 960 sq. ft. (80% mature canopy size)
Type B 576 sq. ft. (80% mature canopy size)
Type C 142 sq. ft. (80% mature canopy size)
Greater than or equal
to 6 feet and less
than 9 feet		 Type A 720 sq. ft. (60% mature canopy size)
Type B 432 sq. ft. (60% mature canopy size)
Type C 106 sq. ft. (60% mature canopy size)

* Trees are categorized as A, B and C—Large, Medium and Small; refer to Appendix 10A for species that fall within each category.

10.1.6 Tree Preservation Plan Requirement

All applicants for development proposals which seek credit for existing tree canopy to attain the minimum canopy coverage specified in this Part shall submit a Tree Canopy Preservation plan. All tree preservation, tree canopy protection and woodland protection areas shall be in accordance with the Tree Preservation Policies of Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services. The content of such a plan is dependent upon the means by which the existing tree canopy is to be calculated as follows:

  1. NOTE: Refer to 10.4.8 for requirements relating to tree protection during construction.
    If no ground checking is used to determine the existing tree canopy, then the plan shall depict the location of existing stands of trees on the site and adjacent public rights-of-way that are proposed to be retained and those that are proposed to be removed, if any.
  2. If ground checking is used to determine the existing tree canopy, then the plan shall depict the location, species and size (caliper) of any individual existing tree that is proposed to be retained to meet the requirements of this Part. The location of existing stands of trees on the site that are proposed to be retained and those that are proposed to be removed shall also be provided.
  3. Standards for Tree Canopy Preservation Areas
    1. Tree Canopy Preservation Areas (TCPA) are those areas where tree preservation has been provided to meet the tree canopy requirements of this part.
    2. The site shall be developed in accordance with the Tree Canopy Preservation Plan. The location of the TCPA boundary delineates the limit of disturbance associated with the TCPA. The limit of disturbance shall indicate the location of the tree protection fencing.
    3. No clearing, grading, construction or other land disturbing activity shall take place within the TCPA beyond pruning to improve the general health of the tree or to remove dead or declining trees that may pose a public health and safety threat. As trees are lost through natural causes, new trees shall be planted in order to maintain minimum tree canopy as specified in this part. Exception: Single Family residential development may remove trees from the TCPA as long as they are replaced with trees of a similar type (e.g. A, B or C).
    4. Location of Structures and Parking
      1. no structure shall be closer than 15 feet to the Limit of Disturbance (Tree Protection Fence).
      2. No vehicle use area (VUA) shall be closer than 10 feet to the Limit of Disturbance (Tree Protection Fence).
    5. During all construction activity (includes clearing, grading, building construction and VUA construction) a copy of the approved Tree Canopy Preservation Plan shall be on-site.

10.1.7 Landscape / Buffer Credit

Any existing trees on a site or street trees planted on an adjacent right-of-way that are used to meet the requirements of this Part shall be credited towards fulfillment of any landscaping, screening, or buffering provisions of this Chapter.

10.1.8 Waivers

  1. The Planning Commission shall have the authority to grant waivers or modifications of the tree canopy requirements contained in this Part in accordance with Chapter 11 Part 8 of the Land Development Code.
  2. The Planning Commission's designee may waive the requirement for a public hearing and take action on requests for reduction of five (5) or fewer trees or a reduction constituting less than ten (10) percent of the total tree canopy requirement, whichever is greater. Notice shall be sent in accordance with Chapter 11 Part 8 stating that a waiver request has been filed and that the Planning Commission's designee may waive the public hearing requirements and take action on the request.
  3. Required Findings; In granting a waiver the Planning Commission’s designee must find that:
    1. The waiver is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.
    2. The applicant made a good faith effort to provide as many trees as possible on the site, on the adjacent right of way, or on an alternative site as specified in 10.1.3; and
    3. There are other mitigating circumstances affecting this site which do not generally apply to sites developed for the same use and in the same form district.