Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs, and Austell may use different municipal rules.
Unincorporated Cobb County, Georgia · 2026 guide
Cobb County tree preservation, in plain language.
Cobb’s ordinance applies broadly to real property, while the detailed preservation, replacement, and density obligations are worked out through County standards and development review.
Read the requirementsCurrent Article VI tree-preservation processLast reviewed September 17, 2026
At a glance
Start with the property, the tree, and the proposed work.
Article VI applies to all real property unless another provision of the official County Code provides an exemption.
The ordinance requires total existing and replacement trees sufficient to produce at least 15 density units per acre on a development site.
The ordinance requires specimen-tree recompense as established in the County’s tree-preservation and replacement standards.
County tree standards extend beyond the code article.
Article VI incorporates Cobb County’s tree-preservation and replacement standards by reference. The code establishes the framework; the current standards and approved project documents supply additional implementation detail.
Protected zone
Land outside the buildable area, required open space, designated buffers, tree-save areas, and areas protected by zoning conditions can fall within this category.
Density factor
A unit-based measure of tree coverage. It is not the number of trees and must be calculated from retained and replacement material under County standards.
Specimen tree
A tree receiving special treatment under the incorporated County standards. Confirm the current species, size, condition, and recompense criteria before design or removal.
Not sure which category applies? Record clear photographs and the tree’s leaves, needles, bark, branching, and fruit or cones when present. A qualified arborist or the reviewing jurisdiction can confirm the species and regulatory class.
01 / First question
Is the property inside Cobb County?
This guide applies only to unincorporated Cobb County. A Cobb mailing address may be inside Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs, or Austell. Confirm the property point and governing authority before using the County process.
Best first step
Use the address lookup on the Tree Collective ordinance map, then confirm the result with the governing jurisdiction before beginning work.
Open the ordinance lookup02 / Permit paths
The condition of the tree and the reason for work shape the path.
Existing occupied property
Confirm exemptions and protected areas before removal.
Because the ordinance applies broadly unless otherwise exempted, do not infer a universal homeowner allowance from tree size alone. Check buffers, tree-save areas, zoning conditions, approved plans, easements, and whether other permits are involved.
Land disturbance
Coordinate trees with the development permit.
Clearing, grading, excavating, filling, and similar work can enter the land-disturbance process. The tree plan should be reviewed with erosion control, stormwater, grading, and access.
Subdivision or commercial development
Demonstrate preservation and replacement compliance.
The County standards establish distinct implementation requirements for subdivisions and commercial development while Article VI requires the overall site-density result.
Protected or specimen tree
Resolve the designation before changing the plan.
Protected zones and specimen-tree obligations can affect layout, removal, replacement, and recompense. Confirm the current County standard and approved site record before authorizing work.
03 / Project record
Use one coordinated tree, grading, and protection record.
For development work, assemble enough information for the County to evaluate preservation options and verify the required density. The package can include:
01
Tree inventory with species, size, condition, and mapped location
02
Specimen trees and stands identified under current County standards
03
Protected zones, buffers, open space, and tree-save areas
04
Buildings, grading, utilities, access, and limits of disturbance
05
Tree-protection fencing and construction controls
06
Existing and replacement density calculations, planting, and recompense
04 / Condition + risk
Tree risk and ordinance compliance are separate findings.
A TRAQ-informed assessment can explain condition, defects, targets, likelihood, consequences, and mitigation. It does not by itself remove a protected-zone, zoning, plan, ownership, or permit obligation. Tree Collective can collect the field evidence; Cobb County makes the regulatory determination.
05 / Conservation + replacement
The baseline is 15 density units per acre for development.
Article VI requires the combined retained and replacement tree inventory to produce at least 15 density units per acre, with the incorporated standards addressing differences between commercial and subdivision development.
The County evaluates whether reasonable options have been considered to preserve the maximum existing forest cover. Specimen-tree removal can add recompense, and zoning conditions or protected areas can require more than the baseline calculation.
06 / Professional support
Plan around the trees before the permit set hardens.
A consulting arborist can collect tree points, identify likely specimen and protected-area conflicts, document condition and risk, calculate preservation options, and coordinate tree protection with the civil team. County staff retain review and approval authority.
Official applications + sources
Go directly to Cobb County.
Official source
Tree Preservation and Replacement Ordinance
Current Article VI establishing scope, definitions, incorporated standards, review, density, and enforcement.
Open source+Official sourceDensity requirements
Current Section 50-223 covering the 15-unit-per-acre baseline, forest preservation review, and specimen-tree recompense.
Open source+Official sourceCommunity Development
Official County department for development review, permitting resources, and current staff direction.
Open source+Source review
Reviewed September 17, 2026.
Reviewed against Cobb County’s current codified Article VI and official Community Development resources. Confirm the municipality, exemptions, current incorporated standards, zoning conditions, protected areas, and project-specific submittal requirements before work.
This is practical educational information, not a permit decision or legal advice. Requirements can change and may depend on site conditions, project scope, administrative standards, and staff findings.
Tree Collective consulting
Bring the tree question into focus.
Tree Collective can help interpret ordinance requirements, inventory trees, assess condition and risk, review construction impacts, prepare tree protection plans and arboricultural prescriptions, and organize permit documentation for the project team.
Tree Collective does not issue permits, control municipal decisions, or act on behalf of the City.