Public Facilities Manual Update for Tree Conservation and Landscaping standards and details
This notice is to inform you of an important update to the City’s Public Facilities Manual for tree conservation and landscaping standards and details.
Effective July 2024, the City of Fairfax amended its Public Facilities Manual to adopt the Tree Preservation and Landscaping Guide with two tree lists – Master Tree List and Invasive Plant List within the Standard Specifications section. Effective October 2024, a new Tree Conservation and Landscaping Details section was added and updated. These resources are to be used by those submitting applications, plans, and permits pertaining to Chapter 110 section 4.5 and other city code requirements for city approval. Any applications submitted prior to the effective dates may use other reference standards with approval by the City’s Urban Forester.
New standards in the Tree Preservation and Landscaping Guide include an overview of tree preservation considerations; tree conservation plan requirements such as a 10-year tree canopy calculation worksheet and sample tree inventory table; landscaping plan requirements such as a sample planting table, species diversity standards, and canopy credits by plant type; and resource protection area replacement and establishment calculations.
The Master Tree List is the city approved species list and the associated design standards for site plan approval. It includes standards by species: plant type, canopy credit category, and soil volume requirements to support meeting the standards specified in the Tree Preservation and Landscaping Guide. The Invasive Plant List is a list of invasive or vulnerable plant species not eligible towards code requirements and may require management during land development.
The 2024 Tree Conservation and Landscaping construction details supersede all other planting and tree protection details in the City of Fairfax.
These resources are now available for download in the Public Facilities Manual on Public Facilities Manual | City of Fairfax, VA (fairfaxva.gov).
For questions, please contact the Department of Community Development and Planning at 703-385-7820 or Department of Public Works 703-385-7810.
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