Town of Carrboro, North Carolina sets requirements for tree retention and protection in parking lots, new developments, and more. There is a tree canopy coverage minimum for every lot or tract for which a zoning, special use, or conditional use permit is issued. Residential developments must meet a minimum of 40% lot coverage. If existing canopy is less than this, additional trees should be planted. Increasing trees acts as “air conditioning for cities” and can help mitigate Urban Heat Island. No pavement can be closer than 15 feet to the trunk of a tree planted for parking lot requirements. New developments must also retain all existing trees unless it proves unreasonably burdensome.