VA SB589

Expands authority for any Virginia locality to adopt tree replacement ordinances during development, removing previous restrictions that limited this to localities with 75+ persons per square mile or within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Establishes tiered tree canopy requirements based on residential zoning density: 10% for 20+ units/acre, 15% for 10-20 units/acre, 20% for 5-10 units/acre, 25% for 2-5 units/acre, and 30% for 2 or fewer units/acre.

Allows localities to maintain tree canopy requirements when existing properties are subdivided to increase density, applying the pre-development canopy percentage to the new site plan.

Permits towns in Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia) to require minimum tree canopies at 10 years' maturity rather than the standard 20 years.

Directs the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience to convene a work group of planners, foresters, developers, and stakeholders to review tree canopy policies and report recommendations to the General Assembly by November 1, 2026.