City of Covington Tree Preservation Ordinance
The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate the conservation, protection, maintenance, and establishment of trees within the city in order to maintain at least sixty (60) percent tree canopy cover across the city and increase the city’s tree canopy cover wherever and whenever possible, to preserve tree and community forest health, and to contribute to community health, safety, and welfare.
Trees and the community forest are a component of the community infrastructure, and as such provide benefits and require management, including maintenance, removal, and replacement to maximize their useful service life. As with other infrastructure, trees shall be maintained in a safe and healthy condition to provide maximum benefits with minimum risk.
Trees, tree canopy, and tree roots conserve soil and maintain soil health, reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, shade streams, and improve water quality.
Trees and tree canopy shade the soil, pavement, buildings, other property, and infrastructure, and cool the environment through the evaporation of water during leaf transpiration. Trees moderate temperatures, decrease the urban heat island effect, reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds released from parked vehicles, and extend the useful life of property and infrastructure.
Trees and tree canopy filter particulate matter from the air and absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful compounds, reduce air pollution, and contribute to human survival and health.
Trees and tree canopy provide recreational places and opportunities. The presence of trees has psychological and social benefits, including reduction of domestic violence, improvement in learning among youth, reduction in healing times, hospital stays, and medication needs, and calming of traffic.
Trees and tree canopy provide economic benefits because they increase property values and bring residents and visitors to a community, resulting in increased commerce and trade.