Any tree, shrub or other plant material which interferes with the proper spread of light along a street or alley from a streetlight, or interferes with the visibility of any traffic-control sign or device, or does not provide ten-foot clearance above public ways or sidewalks, or has dead, dying, diseased or broken limbs which may be hazardous to public safety, or is dead or diseased or harbors insects or pests which constitute a potential threat to nearby human or animal life or to other trees within the city, is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.
The deputy commissioner shall issue a notice of any such nuisance and cause it to be served upon the owner of the property where such nuisance is located, by delivery at the address of the property or by certified mail. The owner shall cause the condition creating such nuisance to be removed within ten days after receipt of said notice, at his own expense. If the owner fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this section, in addition to any other penalties described in this chapter, the commissioner may remove or cause to be removed the condition creating such nuisance and any expense incurred by the city in so doing shall be a charge against the owner, which may be recovered in an appropriate legal proceeding instituted by the corporation counsel.
(Prior code § 32-4)