Tree preservation plan DC: If a large tree turned up at your pre-construction meeting, or DDOT has already issued a stop-work order because excavation started inside a protected root zone, you need a certified arborist and a compliant plan fast. DMV Horticulture prepares DC Tree Preservation Plans that meet Urban Forestry Division requirements, so your permit or project can move forward without unnecessary delay.
What Is a DC Tree Preservation Plan?
The Urban Forest Preservation Act and Tree Canopy Protection Act require a Tree Preservation Plan whenever construction, excavation, or grading could affect a regulated tree on a District property. The plan identifies every protected and special tree on site, sets protection zones and fencing, and gives DDOT’s Urban Forestry Division what it needs to approve your permit. Without an approved plan on file, permits stall and active work can be shut down mid-project.
When You Need One Fast
- A large or mature tree was flagged at your pre-construction meeting and nobody accounted for it in the site plan
- DDOT issued a stop-work order because excavation or grading started inside a protected root zone
- Your permit application was rejected or delayed because no Tree Preservation Plan is on file
- An architect or engineer needs a certified arborist’s sign-off before drawings can be submitted
What’s Included in Your Plan
- An on-site walk with a certified arborist to identify every regulated and special tree
- Tree protection zones and fencing locations mapped against your site plan
- Practical recommendations for working around root zones during construction
- Submission-ready documentation, prepared and submitted through DDOT’s TOPS portal for Urban Forestry Division review
- On-site monitoring during construction if protected trees are near active work
Our Process and Turnaround
Call or email us with your address and what’s happening on site. We prioritize stop-work orders and permit deadlines — most site visits are scheduled within a day, often the same day for urgent requests. We’ll prepare your plan and submit it through DDOT’s TOPS portal directly, and stay available if the reviewer has questions.
Why DMV Horticulture
Green Area Ratio by DMV Horticulture is led by Todd Krellner, an ISA Certified Arborist and landscape contractor who has worked across Washington, DC and the surrounding region on exactly these situations, from pre-construction tree assessments to DDOT stop-work order compliance. We know DC’s tree preservation laws inside and out, and we work directly with architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and homeowners. We also specialize in DC’s Green Area Ratio (GAR) requirements in addition to standard tree preservation work, so GAR-related projects get a plan that satisfies both reviews at once.
Tree Preservation Plan DC: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a tree preservation plan DC review take? Most tree preservation plan DC submissions receive an initial review from DDOT’s Urban Forestry Division within 5 to 10 business days through the TOPS portal, though active stop-work order cases are prioritized and often move faster.
What does a tree preservation plan DC need to include? A complete tree preservation plan DC reviewers will approve identifies every protected and special tree on the property, marks critical root zones and protection fencing, and documents any tree removal or mitigation required under DC tree preservation law.
Do I need a tree preservation plan DC for a small renovation? If your project involves excavation, grading, or construction activity within the critical root zone of a regulated tree, DC requires a tree preservation plan regardless of overall project size.
Can a tree preservation plan DC lift an active stop-work order? Yes. Once we submit a compliant tree preservation plan DC through TOPS and DDOT approves it, the stop-work order tied to root zone excavation is typically lifted so work can resume.
Who prepares the tree preservation plan DC requires? Todd Krellner, an ISA Certified Arborist, personally surveys the site and prepares each tree preservation plan DC submits to DDOT, so every plan reflects an accurate on-site tree assessment.
What’s the difference between a Special Tree and a Heritage Tree in DC? Under DC Code §8-651.02, a Special Tree has a trunk circumference of 40 to 100 inches, and a Heritage Tree is 100 inches or more (measured at 4.5 feet high). Heritage Trees carry the strongest protections in the District — removing one without a permit is unlawful, and permits are granted only if the tree is hazardous, an approved-for-removal species, or being relocated and replanted within DC. We help identify which category your trees fall into before you plan any work nearby.
How much does a special tree removal permit cost in DC? DC Code §8-651.04 sets the fee at not less than $55 per inch of trunk circumference, paid into the District’s Tree Fund. The exact published rate can shift, so we confirm current TOPS fees before you apply and handle the submission for you.
What happens if a Special or Heritage Tree is removed or damaged without a permit? Unpermitted removal or damage to a Special or Heritage Tree can trigger significant fines under DC law, on top of the stop-work order itself and any required remediation. We help you get a compliant tree preservation plan DC reviewers will approve in place so you can avoid that risk entirely.
Do all tree service companies prepare Tree Preservation Plans? No. Many tree care and removal companies offer tree protection during construction, such as root-zone fencing or root pruning, but that is different from preparing the actual Tree Preservation Plan document DDOT’s Urban Forestry Division requires and submitting it through the TOPS portal. Before hiring, ask whether a company has actually prepared and gotten a tree preservation plan DC has approved, not just whether they do general tree work.
Service Area
We prepare tree preservation plan DC submissions for properties throughout Washington, DC — from Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Cleveland Park, and Petworth to Adams Morgan, Chevy Chase, Shaw, Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Brookland, Bloomingdale, and Foxhall — and every ward where DDOT’s Urban Forestry Division has jurisdiction. If you’re outside the District, call us and we’ll let you know if we can help.
Get In Touch Today
Call or text 443-934-0871 or email info@greenarearatio.com to discuss your tree preservation plan or GAR project. If you’re facing a stop-work order, tell us when you reach out so we can prioritize your site visit.