For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BOULEVARD. Area between curb or street edge and the private property/parcel line. This publicly owned area is defined by the distance noted on official city maps from the center of the street or cul-de-sac to the property’s lot line.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. Any area or building owned by the city including sidewalks, alleys, and public parking lots, but not limited to, boulevards, parks, playgrounds, wetlands, and streets.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. Portion of property reserved for public use and accepted for such use by the city to provide circulation and travel to abutting properties, including, but not limited to, streets, boulevards, alleys, sidewalks, and easements for public utilities.
PUBLIC UTILITY. Any public or private facility or system for producing, transmitting, or distributing communications, electricity, gas, oil products, water, sanitary water, or storm water, which directly or indirectly serves the public or any part thereof within the corporate limits of the city.
TOPPING. The severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree’s crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. This is an undesirable practice, causing shock to the tree, leaving it susceptible to disease and affecting the overall health by disturbing the crown to root ratio.
TREE. Any tree, shrub, hedge, or woody vegetation.
(1) Sizes.
(a) SMALL TREES. Those growing to a maximum height of 30 feet.
(b) MEDIUM TREES. Those growing to maximum height of 30 to 50 feet.
(c) LARGE TREES. Those growing to a maximum height of over 50 feet.
(2) Descriptions.
(a) BOULEVARD TREE. A tree planted within the strip of land lying between property lines and the edge of streets, avenues, boulevards, or roadways within the city.
(b) PARK TREE. A tree growing in designated parks owned by the city to which the public has free access.
(c) PUBLIC TREE. Any tree growing on public rights-of-way and city-owned lands, including boulevard and park trees.
(d) PRIVATE TREE. All trees growing on private property within the city limits.
(e) HAZARD TREE. Any public or private tree or part thereof which has an infectious or destructive disease, insect problem, or other pestilence which endangers the growth, health, life, or well-being of trees in the city, or which threatens to or is capable of causing a spread of a disease, pestilence, or insect infestation:
1. Is determined to be infected with a shade tree pest or disease, including, but not limited to, Dutch elm disease, oak wilt, or emerald ash borer;
2. Is dead, dying, broken, or decayed;
3. Obstructs street lights, traffic signs, or the view of any street intersection;
4. Obstructs the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles;
5. Is causing the surface of a public street, curb, or sidewalk to be upheaved or otherwise disturbed;
6. Poses an imminent threat to the sewer system, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines, or other public improvement; or
7. Constitutes an imminent danger to the health, safety, or well-being of the general public.
URBAN FOREST. A forest or collection of trees growing within a city. It may include any kind of woody plant vegetation growing in and around the city.
(Ord. 98, passed 9-14-2021; Ord. passed 11-14-2023)