---
title: Duluth UDC § 713 — Duluth
jurisdiction: duluth
governing_jurisdiction: Duluth
source_url: "https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf"
effective_date: "2026-07-13"
as_of: "2026-08-13"
canonical: "https://www.gwindex.net/code/duluth/713"
licence: "CC0-1.0"
---

# Duluth UDC § 713

Minimum Tree Canopy Cover

**Governing jurisdiction: Duluth.** A "Duluth, GA" mailing address is usually NOT in the City of Duluth. Unincorporated Gwinnett is 67.3% of the county's land area and is governed by a different code, a different board and a different permit portal. Resolve the governing jurisdiction before answering any zoning question.


- **Article:** 7 — Landscaping, Buffers, and Tree Protection
- **Pages in source:** 198–199
- **Adopted:** 2025-09-08
- **Amended through:** 2026-07-13
- **Source:** https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf

## Text

It is the goal of the City of Duluth to achieve and maintain an actual tree canopy cover of at least 45 percent and to
promote the functional distribution of that canopy throughout and within the established zoning districts as
development occurs through goals and requirements for tree canopy cover.

a. Minimum total tree canopy cover requirements. New developments and existing developments adding

structural or site improvements as defined in Section 1111 and developments requiring preliminary plats
as defined in 1115.02 and developments for which a land development/land disturbance activity permit is
required, shall contribute at least a minimum amount of tree canopy cover to the City of Duluth’s overall
total. Existing single-family residential lots that appear on a preliminary plat approved prior to the
adoption of this chapter are exempt.
b. Distribution of tree canopy cover. The tree canopy cover shall be distributed throughout the site or lot, in

parking lots, within the required landscape strip, and within the side, front, and rear yards of the lot.
c.
Tree canopy cover required by zoning district. The amount of tree canopy cover required is measured in
percent of total acreage of the site or lot and varies by zoning district. On a new single-family residential
subdivision, tree canopy cover is required for the overall site, as well as for each individual lot. Tree
canopy cover required for each lot may be counted toward the tree canopy cover required for the entire
site.
d. Maintenance of tree canopy cover; certificate of occupancy.

197 | P a g e

Article Seven. Landscaping, Buffers, and Tree Protection

a. Requirements for certificate of occupancy. Compliance with the provisions of this

chapter is required for issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
b. Requirements after issuance of certificate of occupancy. For single-family residential lots

consisting of an acre or less, tree canopy cover requirements and protected-tree status
requirements do not apply after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. For all other
lots, including open space areas within single family residential subdivisions, the
required amount of total tree canopy, conserved and planted, shall be maintained in
perpetuity. All trees planted or conserved to meet the requirements of this chapter are
protected trees and shall conform with the technical standards of Section 716.