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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Senate Bill 616
Sponsored by Senator BONHAM (Presession filed.)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure as introduced.The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: This Act stops a city from limiting home building for tree preservation. (Flesch Read-
ability Score: 60.7).
Prohibits a local government from conditioning the development or use of property for needed
housing based on the retention of trees. Provides exceptions.
Sunsets January 1, 2036.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to preservation of trees for housing development.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2025 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 197A.
SECTION 2.(1) As used in this section, “heritage tree” means a tree that is designated
by a local government through an ordinance or resolution that recognizes the tree’s unique
location, size, age, botanical interest or historic or cultural significance.
(2) Except for a heritage tree or a tree in a riparian corridor, a local government may
not condition the development or use of property for needed housing on:
(a) The retention of a tree; or
(b) The payment of a fee in lieu of retaining a tree.
SECTION 3. Section 2 of this 2025 Act is repealed on January 1, 2036.
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 2133