Agenda Date: 01/20/2026
Subject:
Title
Ordinance 03-2026: An ordinance on first reading approving text amendments to Title 10, Unified Land Use Code, regarding the preservation and enhancement of the city’s tree canopy and the tree canopy loss rate
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Andrea Vaughn, Senior Planner |
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Mary Danser, City Forester |
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Presentations: |
Andrea Vaughn, Senior Planner |
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Mary Danser, City Forester |
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Diana Kamenel Trettin, Manager of Grounds, Open Space and Natural Resources |
PURPOSE:
To consider adoption of amendments to the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) regarding an update to the Tree Canopy and miscellaneous greenscape provisions for the preservation of the City’s tree canopy.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; Environmental Stewardship; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The protection and enhancement of the City’s tree canopy has been identified by the City through several documents, including Envision Littleton, Horizon 2027 and the Urban Forestry Management Plan. Specifically, the Urban Forestry Management Plan calls for the City’s tree canopy to be increased from 19.5% (as of 2023) to 50% by 2090. In order to meet this goal, this will require investment by the city, its residents, and private developers. The proposed text amendments seek to increase the tree canopy requirements for new developments in specific zone districts and for an increase in the fee-in-lieu for removal of healthy and mature trees; this fee will be used towards the City’s Tree Equity Fund, which will plant trees in areas identified by the Urban Forestry Management Plan in greatest need of plantings.
The ULUC proposed code changes are now ready for City Council review and consideration.
BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the City hired a consultant to review Littleton’s general tree ordinance provisions. The consultant identified various areas for improvement to increase the effectiveness of our code, including the following: i) developing a comprehensive and robust tree manual; ii) updating terminology and definitions to ensure clarity and consistency; iii) clarifying permitting procedures and violations to ensure compliance with Littleton’s tree regulations; iv) promoting best practices to preserve the urban forestry; and v) streamlining the review of applications between the Community Development department and the Public Works, Forestry division.
Following the adoption of the Urban Forestry Management Plan, Public Works staff met with several boards and commissions over the years, including the Environmental Stewardship Board, Planning Commission and the City Council to discuss potential strategies for the protection and enhancement of the City’s tree canopy. Public Works staff has also worked closely with internal stakeholders in the City Attorney’s Office and Community Development on proposed text amendments.
Prior Actions or Discussions
• At the July 22, 2025, Planning Commission study session, staff met with the Planning Commission to provide an overview and receive feedback and direction from the Commission regarding an increase in tree canopy and the proposed changes to the fee-in-lieu
• At the September 22, 2025, staff presented the proposed amendments at the Planning Commission hearing. The Commission recommended approval (3-2) of PC Resolution 10-2025.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments to Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 3 as outlined in Resolution 10-2025.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may approve the code amendment, reject the code amendment, or approve the code amendment with revisions.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Ordinance 03-2026 on first reading approving text amendments to Title 10, Unified Land Use Code, regarding the preservation and enhancement of the city’s tree canopy and the tree canopy loss rate, and to set the second reading and public hearing for February 3, 2026.