The Chamblee Brief - October 5, 2026
By Jimmy Furst
Stay informed. Stay involved.
The Locomotive - One Big Thing
Chamblee’s Tree Ordinance
There has been a lot of confusion about Chamblee’s tree ordinance, particularly around when a homeowner needs a permit to remove a tree. The City’s Tree Preservation Guide is a helpful resource that should provide some much-needed clarity.
The most important thing to know is that not every tree removal requires a permit. For an already-developed single-family residential property, a homeowner may remove up to five non-specimen trees per calendar year without a tree removal permit. A permit is required if you want to remove more than five trees, remove a specimen tree, or remove a specimen tree that is considered hazardous.
So, what counts as a specimen tree? It depends on the type and size of the tree:
Hardwoods such as oak, poplar, and sweetgum: 24 inches DBH or larger
Softwoods such as pine, cedar, and cryptomeria: 30 inches DBH or larger
Understory trees such as dogwood, redbud, and sourwood: 4 inches DBH or larger
DBH stands for diameter at breast height, which is measured 4.5 feet above the ground. The guide also explains how to properly measure trees that are leaning, forked, growing on a slope, or have multiple trunks.
Another important requirement is Chamblee's overall tree-preservation standard. Residential properties are required to maintain trees with a combined diameter of at least 50 inches per acre.
When a permit is required, homeowners will need to provide a site plan or sketch showing the property and existing trees, photos of the trees proposed for removal, and additional documentation for specimen trees. The City's typical review time is one to three business days.
Before a permitted tree removal occurs, the City also requires public notice. A City-provided sign must be posted for at least five days before removal and on the day of removal, and the trees being removed must be clearly marked.
The goal of our tree ordinance is to protect Chamblee's tree canopy while still allowing homeowners to reasonably manage their property. I know the rules have not always been easy to understand, and this guide does a good job of putting the major requirements in one place.
If you're considering removing a tree and aren't sure whether you need a permit, I encourage you to review the guide or contact Chamblee's Planning and Development Department at 770-986-5010 before beginning work.
Left the Station - This Past Week's Events
Breakfast & Speaker with the Chamblee Chamber of Commerce
The Chamblee Chamber of Commerce hosted Breakfast & Speaker this Thursday! Mayor Mock was the guest speaker and spoke about how the City plays an important role in attracting businesses to Chamblee. You can learn more about the Chamber at https://chambleechamber.biz/
At the Station - Ongoing Events in Chamblee
Chamblee Cop N Stuff: Socktober Sock Drive
Chamblee Cop N Stuff has two ways you can make a big difference this fall! hey are hosting two drives from October 1 through November 1 to help those in need. They are hosting the Socktober Sock Drive to donate socks to children in foster care. Socks can be dropped off at the Chamblee Police Department.
They are also hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive to collect non-perishable food items for Thanksgiving meal boxes to help local families in need. Suggested items include:
Boxed stuffing
Instant potatoes
Macaroni & Cheese
Rice
Canned Green Beans
Canned Corn
Canned Yams
Cranberry Sauce
Gravy (jar or packet)
Cornbread or muffin mix
Canned fruit
Dessert Mixes
Grocery Store Gift Cards (to purchase turkeys, hams, and other perishables)
Food donations can be dropped off at the Chamblee Public Safety Building. For more information, please contact Catherine Powe at 470-866-1501 or chambleecopnstuff@gmail.com
Front Yard Tree Program
Join the Trees Atlanta Front Yard Tree Program! Chamblee homeowners can request up to two trees to be planted in their yard at no cost. Planting season runs from October 2026 through March 2027. Submit an application via www.treesatlanta.org/yardtree.
2026 Road Repaving
The City of Chamblee is improving your commute one street at a time by repaving 21 streets from mid-August to mid-October. The Public Works team has placed signs at the locations where street paving will take place. Check the posted paving schedule above for dates and locations.
The City is spending $2.6 million on street repaving. Of the $2.6 million, the City is utilizing $780,000 in Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant funding through the Georgia Department of Transportation and $1,820,000 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funding to complete this project.
Public Works Employee of the Month
Please join us in congratulating David Clarke as the Public Works Employee of the Month for the month of October. David provides exemplary service to the Public Works Department and the City of Chamblee and is a valuable and dependable member of the Stormwater team. Known for working across divisions to get things done, he excels at taking initiative, identifying necessary resources, and seeing projects through to completion.
David has proven to be a reliable presence on our stormwater construction and maintenance sites. He diligently oversees field operations, manages communication between contractors, staff, and residents, and skillfully resolves issues as they arise. This was recently demonstrated by his leadership on the complex Ellwyn Drive project, where he successfully balanced multiple contractors and highly invested homeowners. He is a vigilant steward of City resources, regularly seeking out operational and cost efficiencies. Always quick to lend a hand, David brings both a strong work ethic and a positive attitude—complete with a smile and a joke—that makes Public Works a better place to work.
Chamblee Introduces Curbside Composting
The City of Chamblee is partnering with CompostNow to bring curbside composting to all residents starting this October! For just $19 per month (plus a one-time $19 startup fee), you can divert food scraps from the landfill and turn them into nutrient-rich compost.
Why Compost?
Over 50% of what ends up in landfills is organic material that could be composted. In a landfill, that organic waste generates methane, a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than CO₂. Composting diverts those materials and transforms them into finished compost instead.
When finished compost is added to local soil, it sequesters carbon, improves water retention, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and improves the nutrient value of our food.
When we build local compost systems for cycling nutrients back into the soil, we improve the climate resiliency of the community and create equitable opportunities for our local growers who strengthen our food supply chains and provide access to fresh, healthy food.
To learn more about the program and to sign up, click HERE.
Chamblee Arts Master Plan Survey
Chamblee is now updating its 2019 Arts Master Plan! The new five-year plan will reflect our community's priorities for public art, arts and culture events and programs, and more. You can learn more about the plan and take a survey to share your thoughts by scanning the QR code or visiting tinyurl.com/chambleeartsplan.
Arriving Soon - Upcoming Events in Chamblee
October 7: Grand Opening of Saltbox
Come celebrate the grand opening of Saltbox Chamblee on Wednesday, October 7!
Saltbox is a co-warehousing ecosystem built specifically for small product-based businesses, bringing warehousing, fulfillment, storage, operations, and community under one roof.
Join us for the official ribbon cutting from 3:00–4:00 PM, followed by a free community celebration from 4:00–7:00 PM with complimentary food, a hosted bar, music, games, Chamblee + Atlanta trivia, interactive experiences, and prizes.
Come see the space, meet the community, and help us officially welcome Saltbox to Chamblee. You’re invited! Free to attend. RSVP here: https://luma.com/SBClaunchparty
October 9: No Office Hours
I won't be holding office hours this week due to my day job. Office hours will return next Friday, October 16. Swing by City Hall then to meet with me and discuss all things Chamblee!
October 10: 3rd Spot Watch Party
Make Downtown Chamblee your 3rd Spot this Saturday! Join us at Chamblee City Hall for a UGA Alumni Association watch party as the Dawgs take on Alabama.
UGA vs. Alabama
Oct 10, 2026
Kickoff TBA
Chamblee City Hall
October 11: Atlanta Pride Parade
Join us as we participate in the annual Atlanta Pride Parade on Sunday, October 11, 2026!
We are happy to announce that our float will once again be joining our parade group! For more information, please contact Josh Duarte at jduarte@chambleega.gov.
October 12: Rail Trail Closure
The Chamblee Rail Trail between Chamblee Tucker Road and Malone Drive will be closed from Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 16, 2026, as construction continues on Fish Bolt Park.
October 12: Indigenous Peoples Day
City offices will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026, in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day (Staff Appreciation Day). Chamblee offices will reopen on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Monday's sanitation route will be collected on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
October 17: Taste of Chamblee
Taste of Chamblee returns for its 17th year in Downtown Chamblee! Join us for a day filled with mouthwatering food, unique handcrafted goods, and family-friendly entertainment!
Food
Football
Crafts
Music
Wine Workshop
Cooking Competition
See a list of vendors and a complete schedule of events at https://www.tasteofchamblee.net/
October 24: Run for the Hills
It's almost time to Run for the Hills!
Saturday, October 24, 2026
5K + Fun Run 8:30 a.m.
Fall Festival 9:00 a.m.-noon
Admission to the Fall Festival is FREE, and you can register at runhuntleyhills.com.
The Caboose
I would love to hear your questions, comments, or concerns.
Email: Jfurst@chambleega.gov
Mobile: 770-901-1121 The legal stuff: The views expressed are those of the author and may not reflect those of the Chamblee City Council. Comments posted in response to a councilmember-initiated communication may be subject to public disclosure under the Open Records Act. If you are a Chamblee resident and would like to discuss city business, please visit chambleega.gov or contact me at the email address above.
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