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Philadelphia Tightens Rules on Removing Heritage Trees from City Streets

Official:Amending?Section 14-705?of The Philadelphia Code, entitled?“Landscape and Trees”?by revising heritage tree removal requirements,?all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Gilmore Richardson

Introduced: September 17, 2026

: Committee on Rules

trees zoning planning

Plain-Language Summary

This bill proposes to revise the requirements for removing heritage trees in Philadelphia, making it more difficult to remove these trees without replacing them or meeting specific conditions.

What This Bill Does

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Requires applicants to replace removed heritage trees in accordance with Section 14-705(1)(g) of The Philadelphia Code.
Prohibits the removal of heritage trees from properties unless the applicant meets specific conditions, including replacing the tree or obtaining a special exception approval.
Imposes new location requirements for heritage trees to be removed, including being at least 75 feet from the nearest street and from properties in certain residential, commercial, and special purpose districts.
Requires the location, diameter at breast height (DBH), and species of all existing trees to be included in a landscape and tree plan.

Both Sides

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The case for

This bill will protect Philadelphia's heritage trees by enforcing regulations that ensure their removal is only done when absolutely necessary, and even then, with a clear plan to replace them. Homeowners who remove heritage trees will be required to put back a new tree of similar size and species, or obtain special permission to do otherwise. This will safeguard the city's urban canopy and promote the retention of mature trees that provide essential benefits to residents, including improved air quality, reduced stormwater runoff, and increased property values.

The case against

This bill imposes significant costs on property owners and developers, who will be required to replace or relocate heritage trees at their own expense. The bill also creates new regulatory hurdles, requiring applicants to obtain special exception approval to remove trees, which will slow down development projects and potentially lead to increased costs for applicants who are unable to meet the new requirements. Furthermore, the bill's requirement for applicants to provide detailed information about existing trees on their properties will create an additional administrative burden for the city's permitting and inspection departments, which will likely divert resources from other important public services.

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Upcoming

Committee on Rules

Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Room 400, City Hall

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