(a) No person shall plant, spray, fertilize, preserve, prune, cut above ground or otherwise disturb any tree on any street, treelawn or other public place without first filing an application and procuring a permit therefor from the Director of Service and Safety. The person receiving the permit shall abide by all regulations, conditions and specifications prescribed by the Director.
(b) The application for the permit shall be in the form prescribed by the Director and shall contain information as to the location, time, grade, species, cultivar and method of planting; the number of trees to be sprayed, fertilized, pruned or otherwise preserved; the kind of treatment; the composition of spray material; and such other information as the Director finds reasonably necessary to determine whether a permit shall issue.
(c) Applications for permits, accompanied by a fee of five dollars ($5.00), must be filed at the office of the Director of Service and Safety not less than forty-eight hours in advance of the time the work is to be done. All such receipts shall be placed in the General Fund of the City.
(d) The Director shall issue the permit provided for herein if, in his judgment, the proposed work is desirable and is in conformity with the Master Street Tree Plan and the proposed method and workmanship are of a satisfactory nature. The permit shall contain a definite date of expiration and the work shall be completed in the time allowed by the permit and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and as the Director may additionally prescribe. Any permit shall be void if its terms or the provisions of this chapter are violated.
(e) All permit holders shall advise the Director of Service and Safety within five days of the completion of the work under the permit in order that the Director might inspect the work for compliance.
(f) All persons applying for a permit for the removal of a tree shall be required to replace each such tree by the time prescribed in the permit for the completion of work in accordance with the specifications provided by the Director. The cost of the removal and replacement of such trees shall be paid by the permit holder.
(g) Whenever any tree is planted or set out in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, the Director may remove or cause the removal of the same and the cost thereof shall be assessed in accordance with the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code.
(h) When it is necessary to remove trees from a treelawn in connection with the repair, replacement or construction of a sidewalk or street under a City program, the City shall replant or replace such trees. If conditions prevent planting on treelawns, an equivalent number of trees, otherwise in accordance with the Master Street Tree Plan, may be planted on an adjacent property.
(Ord. 75-56. Passed 8-12-75.)