Portland City Council Hearing Considering Removing Exemptions for Title 11 – Tree Code

As Portland trends towards more extreme summer heat waves, worsening air quality, reduced wildlife habitat, and flooding from extreme weather events – urban trees provide the best tool to mitigate these environmental challenges while improving community and ecosystem health. 

On December 5, Portland City Council will consider two issues related to trees: They will consider extending protections for large trees in private development situations and they will consider lifting the exemptions from tree preservation and density standards in commercial and industrial lands. It is critical that council hear that they should follow through on BOTH of these things.

The “Big Tree Amendment” was originally passed in 2016 after advocates pushed for improvements to the Portland tree code otherwise known as Title 11, after a wave of large trees were removed with limited to no mitigation. The amendment is set to sunset at the end of the year and it is important for City council to extend it to ensure we better protect our tree canopy.

This story highlights the immediate need to remove the industrial and commercial exemptions.

Hundreds of trees will likely be removed with no mitigation as part of this project because of the current industrial lands exemption. 

How You Can Help

1. Contact the Mayor’s Office by phone or email and let them know that you want them to take immediate action to remove exemptions for tree preservation and density standards on industrial and commercial lands.
2. Come to City Council on December 5 at 3 p.m. and testify in support of removing exemptions for tree preservation and density standards on industrial and commercial lands.

Take Action