TN HB0402

Property owners may apply for a property tax exemption on portions of their real property covered by tree canopy, defined as a contiguous area of at least 5,000 square feet of tree coverage

Counties must opt in to the program by a two-thirds majority vote of the county governing body, and may choose to apply the exemption to residential properties, commercial properties, or both

Tree canopy coverage is determined by a county-designated implementing agency using urban tree canopy studies, aerial imagery, or field surveys, with the exemption value set by that agency

Exemptions last up to 7 years (renewable for an additional 7 years), are non-transferable, and owners must report any changes in use, ownership, or tree canopy removal

Application filing fees are capped at $120, and if tree canopy coverage is later found to be less than originally determined, the exemption is voided and the owner owes back taxes