Why are we pursuing this now? 

Aligned with Arlington County's natural resource and stormwater management goals and existing policies promoting conservation landscaping, and in response to public input received as part of the update to the Forestry and Natural Resources Management Plan, Arlington County is considering updates to Chapter 10, Article II (Conditions of Private Property Ordinance) of the County Code that support private use of managed landscapes and to enable County staff to act in cases where trees on private property present a risk to the community in the public right-of-way or other public lands. 

The proposed changes are similar to ordinance updates made by many other jurisdictions in the Washington metropolitan area.