(A) Public tree removal. The city shall have the right to remove or cause or order to be removed, any risk tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which by reason of its nature is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines, or other public improvements, or is infected with any injurious fungus, insect or other pest, If the risk tree causes an immediate threat, no appeal process is available and the tree shall be removed immediately.
(B) Dead or diseased tree removal on private property. The city shall have the right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees on private property within the city when such trees constitute a risk to life and property, or harbor insects or disease which constitute a potential threat to other trees within the city. The city shall have this authority as further outlined in sections 29.5-5 through 29.5-12.
(C) Removal of stumps. Stumps of street and park trees may be required to be removed to eight inches below the surface of the ground so that the top of the stump shall not project above the surface of the ground and no sprouting shall occur.
(D) Healthy tree. If a person wants to remove a healthy street tree, they must obtain permission from the city tree board. Requests shall be submitted to the city tree board by mailing the permits and inspections office. If the city tree board denies the request, the healthy tree cannot be removed. If the city tree board grants the request, the tree may be removed at the owner’s expense and another tree will be planted to replace the healthy tree. The tree may be replaced on the original property or in a city park, if so approved. Within 30 days of the removal of the healthy tree, the replacement tree must be planted or a monetary contribution determined by the tree board given to the city. Failure to replace the healthy tree will result in a monetary penalty of three times the cost of the approved replacement tree.
(E) Tree removal. Trees removed from city parks, and similar city owned public grounds, will have a new tree planted for each one removed, with the exception of a natural disaster, disease, or multi tree disaster event which replacement will be made at the discretion of the city in consultation with the tree board. The location and details for each tree will be set by the parks department, with the tree board assisting in an advisory role, with all funding grants sought prior to it being a city expense.
(Ord. 4002, § 1, passed 8-18-2020)