HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 24-1823INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 24-1823
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
April 2, 2024
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: ORDINANCES AND PRACTICES RELATED TO THE PLANTING OF
NATIVE TREES AND NATIVE LANDSCAPING
This report is in response to City Council's request to provide information on ordinances and
practices related to the planting of native trees and native landscaping.
Landscaping on Private Property
The Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Chapter 6, Article 3, Section 6.301) specifies landscaping
requirements for new construction, additions of more than 3,000 square feet, and floor area
expansions of at least 30 percent. These requirements are applicable to commercial, institutional,
industrial, and manufactured home developments. The Development Services Department
reviews landscape plans for compliance when building permit applications are submitted. The
utilization of native plantings is one of two options that may be utilized to meet the landscaping
requirement. A minimum of 10% of net site area for commercial and institutional developments
and a minimum of 4% of the net site area for industrial and manufactured home developments
shall be landscaped by using one of the following methods:
1. One shrub, a minimum of five gallons in size, for every 50 square feet, or fraction
thereof, of required landscape; or
2. For every 75 square feet, or fraction thereof, of required landscape area, a cluster of
native shrubs and/or grasses, consisting of a minimum of five plants, three gallon in
size and grouped with similar watering requirements from the approved native plant list.
Where this option is chosen, temporary irrigation may be utilized.
Tree Planting on Private Property
The Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Chapter 6, Article 3, Section 6.302) specifies requirements
for the planting of trees when trees are removed and to establish additional tree canopy in pursuit
of the city's 30% tree canopy coverage goal. The Development Services Department reviews
urban forestry plans for compliance prior to the permitted removal of trees or when building permit
applications are submitted, whichever occurs first. In relation to trees, the ordinance contains a
table of "desirable and adapted trees for the Fort Worth area". The majority of these trees are
considered "native" to our region's environment with a select few being considered adaptable for
our area. The city forester and urban forester may consider other tree species on a case -by -case
basis.
Tree Planting on Park Property and in Public Rights -of -Way
The Park and Recreation Department has oversight for the planting of trees on park property and
in public rights -of -way. The department utilizes a recommended planting list that is similar to the
list in the Zoning Ordinance.
For additional information, please contact D.J. Harrell, Development Services Director at 817-
392-8032 or LaShondra Stringfellow, Assistant Director at 817-392-6214.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS