City of Charlotte Urban Forestry – Temporary Planting Flexibility Implemented 5/1/2026

Effective immediately, the City’s Urban Forestry Group will provide delayed planting options for all tree, shrub, and other planting requirements until further notice. This includes all plantings for land development regulations in Article 20 of the Charlotte UDO, the Charlotte Tree Ordinance, tree mitigation requirements, and long-term compliance scenarios.

Due to significant drought conditions, along with the temporary need to conserve water resources Urban Forestry is recommending customers delay planting until conditions improve and utilize a Planting Delay Permit. The planting delay does not waive any required plantings but postpones required installation to a later date with more favorable weather conditions and when water usage restrictions have been lifted.

Urban Forestry will provide an update and adequate notice informing customers when enforcement of planting requirements returns to standard installation timelines.

Visit Charlotte Water’s drought resources page for additional information.