Saint Paul council adopts ordinance to preserve trees on city-sponsored construction projects

The City Council adopted Ordinance 2054, amending Title 4 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to add chapter 92, "tree preservation," to require early consideration of street and yard trees in city-sponsored construction projects.

The sponsor said the ordinance follows more than 16 months of public outreach, including a public input group and consultations with 17 district councils, the parks commission and advisory groups. The sponsor said the measure treats trees as public infrastructure and aims to center equity and climate resilience in project planning.

Vice President (addressing the council) and other members praised the ordinance for its attention to neighborhoods with lower tree canopy and greater heat vulnerability. Council member Joest called the work an example of "bringing something forward with the community" and said the ordinance would allow projects to preserve trees while proceeding with construction.

Following brief discussion, the council voted 7-0 to adopt the ordinance. The sponsor thanked parks staff, public works and consultants for their role in drafting rules and standard operating procedures that accompany the ordinance.