(A) Required street trees.
(1) All applicants for building permits for construction of a new building or building addition of 200 square feet or more shall submit a street tree plan for those parts of the lot abutting a major street, a major local street, or another street where street trees are required.
(2) Any person who constructs a new building addition of 200 square feet or more or who paves a parking lot or required off-street parking area for apartments and/or non-residential development on a lot abutting a major street, a major local street, or another street where street trees are required shall plant street trees according to a street tree plan approved by the Mayor. Such planting shall occur no later than 60 calendar days after the completion of construction and shall occur before final inspection as required in the Building Code.
(3) Street trees shown on an approved street tree plan and required to meet the requirements of § 14-16-5-6 shall be maintained alive and healthy. Maintenance and trimming of street trees and replacement of dead trees are the responsibility of the owner of the lot abutting or on which the tree is located.
(4) The city shall maintain a list of trees, as part of the Official Albuquerque Plant Palette and Sizing List, generally suitable for use as street trees in Albuquerque. This list shall include a description of the physical characteristics and cultural requirements of each species.
(5) City staff, in coordination with appropriate private sector input, shall develop and make available information regarding the required soil volume for trees of a given mature size, and the Planning Director shall make this information available in the Development Process Manual. This soil volume consists of un- compacted and irrigated soil. The root space may be long and linear, to match a landscape/buffer area size, and/or the space may be created through mechanical de-compaction, or the use of either structural soils under pavements, or soil vault systems under pavements.
(6) Conflicts can occur with large trees near overhead electric utility lines. The larger the tree, the farther it should be located from an electric utility line. Small growth trees (those under 25 feet high at maturity) can be near the electric utility lines. If possible, locate medium growth trees (those under 40 feet high at maturity) at least 15 feet away from the electric utility lines and locate large growth trees (those under 80 feet high at maturity) at least 25 feet from electric utility lines. Trees that grow into or near electric lines may be trimmed back to prevent any growth into the lines.
('74 Code, § 8-5-4) (Ord. 54- 1981; Am. Ord. 19-1986; Am. Ord. 12-2004; Am. Ord. 40-2004; Am. Ord. 2016-006; Am. Ord. 2017-025) Penalty, see § 1-1-99