City adopts revised tree code

The Rehoboth Beach Board of Commissioners adopted a revised tree code this afternoon that is easier to understand and navigate, more flexible, and focuses on heritage tree preservation and tree quality over quantity. The revised code, which has been a focus of the Board of Commissioners over the past two years, is the culmination of multiple efforts undertaken over the past 11 years.

“Rehoboth Beach is very proud of its abundant tree canopy, which helps to make the city distinctive among coastal communities,” says Arborist Liz Lingo. “The newly adopted code serves not only trees well but also our residents, simplifying, clarifying, and providing more flexibility to the rules related to removal and replacement of trees on private property.”

Some of the changes to the code include:

• reducing the size of trees to be planted from 12’ tall and 3” in diameter to 8’ tall and 2” in diameter
• simplifying mitigation for removed trees, requiring tree-for-tree replacement
• expanding the list of city-approved tree species that may be replanted
• providing greater measures for tree protection during construction, especially of heritage trees
• setting a fee to cover real costs of planting and maintaining a tree on city property for two years.