VA HB549

Expands authority for any Virginia locality to adopt tree conservation and replacement ordinances during development, removing previous restrictions that limited this to localities with specific population densities or within the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Establishes tiered tree canopy requirements based on zoning density, ranging from 10% for commercial/high-density residential sites to 35% for sites zoned at two or fewer units per acre, with canopy measured at 10-year maturity instead of the previous 20-year standard

Prioritizes preservation of existing healthy trees over planting new trees, and allows localities to establish higher canopy percentages than the minimums to achieve stormwater reductions, mitigate urban heat islands, and address climate resilience goals

Permits localities to increase violation penalties up to $2,500 per violation and requires establishment of tree canopy banks or funds for off-site planting when on-site requirements cannot be met

Directs the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience to convene a work group of stakeholders to review tree canopy policies and report recommendations to legislative committees by November 1, 2026