SB 367 Clarify Property Owners’ Rights (Tree Removal Bill) would require that all local ordinances regulating the removal of trees be permitted only with the express authorization of the General Assembly. For the dozens of municipalities with local tree ordinances already created by local acts, those ordinances would have to be amended to allow property owners, in every instance, to remove trees interfering with construction so long as trees were replaced with tree saplings.

Cities in our watershed with existing ordinances include Chapel Hill, Durham, Apex, Cary, Burlington and  Greensboro.  Cites and towns that want a tree ordinance in the future would have to come to the legislature to request enabling legislation, passed through what’s known as a local act. And any tree ordinance not already covered by an existing local act would be wiped off the books. The tree protection rules being written for Chatham Park could be targeted - perhaps not a coincidence. The bill has the backing of powerful pro-development groups like the N.C. Home Builders Association.

The bill has been approved by  the Senate State and Local Government Committee meeting, and will next be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

We urge you to use this form to send a message to your senator and representative.

Additionally, find your member of the Senate Judiciary committee Here and ask Governor Cooper to veto this bill if it gets to his desk!