CHAPTER 511
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-961 and 15.2-961.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to conservation and replacement of trees during development process; work group; report.
[S 589]
Approved April 8, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 15.2-961 and 15.2-961.1 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 15.2-961 . Replacement of trees during development process.
A. For purposes of this section, "tree canopy" or "tree cover" includes all areas of coverage by plant material exceeding five feet in height and the extent of planted tree canopy at 10 or 20 years' maturity. Planted tree canopy at 10 or 20 years' maturity shall be based on published reference texts generally accepted by landscape architects, nurserymen, and arborists in the community, and the texts shall be specified in the ordinance.
B. Any locality with a population density of at least 75 persons per square mile or any locality within the Chesapeake Bay watershed may adopt an ordinance providing for the planting and replacement of trees during the development process pursuant to the provisions of this section. Population density shall be based upon the latest population estimates of the Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia.
B. C. The ordinance shall require that the site plan for any subdivision or development include the planting or replacement of trees on the site to the extent that, at 20 years, minimum tree canopies or covers will be provided in areas to be designated in the ordinance, as follows:
1. Ten percent tree canopy for a site zoned business, commercial, or industrial;