TL;DR (generated, confidence: high)

Portland's urban forestry review process requires tree plans at each permit phase, with City Forester approval for changes and specific tree mitigation and replacement standards based on tree size and site ownership.

Key points:

Tree plans must be submitted for land use reviews, building permits, and public works permits, including existing improvements, staging areas, proposed alterations, street trees 3" DBH or greater, on-site trees 6" DBH within 15 feet of disturbance, removal proposals, and planting details (Urban Forestry Early Assistance and Land Use Review ↗)
Any changes to approved tree plans, including species amendments, require City Forester approval; tree procurement should occur 6 months prior to installation (Urban Forestry Early Assistance and Land Use Review ↗)
Healthy street trees 6" DBH or greater approved for removal require replanting with two additional trees beyond standard street tree planting requirements (Urban Forestry Early Assistance and Land Use Review ↗)
For unimproved streets, healthy street trees 12" or greater DBH require two replacement trees, planted in street planter strip, on-site, or in same watershed by planting or fee in lieu per Table 60-1 (Urban Forestry Early Assistance and Land Use Review ↗)
City-owned or managed sites follow tiered replacement: 6-12" DBH requires up to 2 trees; 12-20" up to 3; 20-25" up to 5; over 25" up to 6 (Urban Forestry Early Assistance and Land Use Review ↗)

Entities: code_section: 11.50.070 · 11.50.040C.2 · Chapter 11.60 | reference_table: Table 60-1 | role: City Forester | measurement_standard: Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)

Urban Forestry Early Assistance and Land Use Review

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Source: Urban Forestry Early Assistance and Land Use Review ↗ Last modified: Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:10:00 GMT

Purpose of an Early Assistance and/or Land Use Review

Identify potential issues and/or impacts on existing street trees, heritage trees, and trees on City-owned or managed sites (if applicable).
Provide adequate areas for future street tree planting on existing and proposed public streets.
- Trees on private property are subject to development standards from Portland Permitting & Development. See planning requirements for private property trees or call 503-823-7300.

Tree Plan Submittal Requirements ↗

(11.50.070) ↗

A tree plan must be submitted with each phase of review including land use reviews, building permit applications, and public works permits. The tree plan information may be combined with other relevant plan sheets. The tree plan submittal shall include the following information:

Existing improvements
Any construction staging areas on site
Proposed alterations
Existing street trees 3" (inches) Diameter at Breast Height ↗ (DBH) or greater
- Include size and location
Existing on-site trees 6" DBH within 15' (feet) of the limits of disturbance
Trees proposed for removal
Tree planting proposal, including:
- Species and location
- Trees to be retained
- Proposed tree protection measures ↗ meeting the specifications in Chapter 11.60 ↗

Revisions to Plans

During the review process plans can change as various requirements are met.

Any changes to an approved Tree Plan, including amending tree species must be approved by the City Forester.

Please note that the City Forester may not approve revised tree planting plans based on the lack of species availability.
To facilitate species availability, it is recommended that tree procurement occur approximately 6 months prior to installation.

Tree Mitigation

(11.50.040C.2) ↗

Healthy Street Trees ↗ 6” (inches) or greater Diameter at Breast Height ↗ (DBH) that are approved for removal shall be replanted with two trees in addition to trees required to be planted to meet Street Tree Planting Standards, below.
When street improvements are made to partially or fully unimproved streets ↗:
- Healthy street trees 12” or greater DBH approved for removal shall be replanted with two trees, with trees planted to meet Street Tree Planting Standards credited towards meeting this requirement.
- Tree replacement for trees removed shall occur in the street planter strip, on site, or in the same watershed either by planting or by paying a fee in lieu of planting in accordance with table 60-1, below.
On City-owned or managed sites, healthy, non-nuisance trees 6” or greater DBH that are approved for removal shall be replanted according to the Administrative Rule for tree replacement standards, below:

Tree Replacement for Development on City Owned or Managed Sites

Size of tree to be removed (inches in diameter)

Number of trees to be planted

6 and up to 12

Up to 2

More than 12 and up to 20

Up to 3

More than 20 and up to 25

Up to 5

More than 25

Up to 6