Shakopee City Council Sets 6-Month Tree Removal Moratorium

The following is a press release from the city of Shakopee.

At its Jan. 22 meeting, the Shakopee City Council approved a 180-day moratorium on certain land alteration activities in order to give staff time to review the City’s tree management ordinance.

The moratorium affects only land parcels 1 acre or larger in which owners are removing 10 percent or more of the significant trees on the property. A significant tree is defined as a deciduous tree with a diameter of 6 inches
or greater at breast height (DBH) or a coniferous tree that is 12 feet or taller.

During the moratorium, City staff will evaluate the City’s current tree management regulations. Currently, only activities that require various development applications or permits are subject to the regulations and replacement requirements. Staff will research the issue and make a recommendation to the City Council whether the regulations should be changed or expanded.

The moratorium does not affect properties of less than one acre or those removing less than 10 percent of their significant trees. For example, a homeowner removing a tree to make space for a backyard deck would not be impacted.

The moratorium goes into effect Jan. 31. The penalty for unauthorized tree removal during the moratorium is $500 for every DBH inch of the trees removed.