Advisory Board: Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee
Subject: 5. RECEIVE Report on the update to the County's Tree Protection Ordinance and ADVISE staff, as appropriate
Presenter: Jamar Stamps, Principal Planner
Contact: Wade Finlinson, 925.655.3214
Information:
The bylaws of the Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee (IPMAC) list several purposes of the Committee. Those include:
• Making policy recommendations upon assessment of current pest issues and evaluation of possible IPM solutions.
• Providing a forum for communication and information exchange among members in an effort to identify, encourage, and stimulate the use of best or promising pest management practices.
Referral History and Update:
The Department of Conservation and Development (“DCD”), Community Development Division has been working on updating the County Tree Ordinance (County Code Chapter 816-6, Tree Protection and Preservation). DCD has incorporated a variety of updates and changes based on public feedback and evaluation of other agencies’ tree protection codes and have attempted to simplify the provisions to make it easier for the public and staff to understand and implement.
Proposed updates include:
• Removal of underutilized or antiquated text
• Updated “protected tree” criteria and provisions to focus more on the size of the tree and less on location
• Updated permit and notification processes, including the addition of a proposed ministerial permit process for mid-sized trees
• Deletion of Chapter 816-4 - HERITAGE TREE PRESERVATION (“HTP”) DISTRICT (proposed updates to Chapter 816-6 address previously designated heritage trees)
• New definitions
DCD staff sent a draft ordinance out for public review back on April 3, 2025 with a June 30th comment deadline. In that time DCD staff presented to seven Municipal Advisory Councils (MAC), as well as various other committees. DCD staff is currently reviewing comments and working on how to address them in a revised draft. Once the revised draft is complete, DCD staff will schedule a meeting before the County Planning Commission.
Attached is the draft ordinance as well as three summary tables to compare the current tree ordinance. For reference, attached is also the current tree ordinance language.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
Staff recommends reviewing proposed changes and advising on elements pertaining to integrated pest management.