Proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance

Council President Noecker joined us at our April Community Forum Night to tell us more about the proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance and the work of the Tree Preservation Ordinance Public Input Group.

Have a look at the draft document, and get ready for the upcoming Public Hearing. Dates are not scheduled or finalized yet, but here is the potential timeline:

1. Parks Commission meeting mid-June, this will be the public hearing, and public testimony will be needed. If the Parks Commission meeting is in mid-June, the information will be available to the community the week before the meeting. 

2. City Council meeting. It will require two city council meetings, and they hope to have these in late June, followed by early July. 

We will post more information once it is available. We hope that early access to some of the information gives you a good opportunity to prepare.

Please look over the document they provided us by visiting this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UE_xyxdOzxqQWmnqsrKUQan2Fcg...

The Tree Preservation Ordinance Public Input Group (TPO PIG) convened neighbors, neighborhood associations, local advocates, and residents with technical expertise to strengthen Saint Paul’s approach to protecting urban trees during development and public projects. Guided by principles of equity, transparency, and practical implementation, the group met seven times between May and November 2025 to provide focused input on ordinance language, identify critical gaps, and develop actionable recommendations that balance ecological health with community priorities. The TPO PIG also presented updates and recommendations to the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Ward 2 office engaged District Councils in the fall to incorporate neighborhood perspectives ahead of the ordinance’s anticipated return to City Council on December 10, 2025.