(A) It shall be unlawful to commit any of the following acts with respect to city trees without receiving a written permit from the city:
(1) Plant a tree within the public right-of-way;
(2) Cut, prune, break, injure, alter, or remove any tree; or cut, unduly disturb, or interfere in any way with the root system of a tree or trees except as provided for in § 96.03 or in the Comprehensive Tree Plan of Edgewood;
(3) Operate, place, or maintain, within the root system of any city tree, any machinery, equipment, heavy object, stone, rocks, cement, earth, soil or other substance which may harmfully affect a city tree by preventing the access of water or air to the roots of the tree or excavate around, to remove earth from, or cause any water to flow upon, the roots of any tree;
(4) Fasten any object, rope, wire, sign, insulator, or other device to a tree, or trees;
(5) Install, remove, or injure any guard or device placed to protect trees;
(6) Close or obstruct any open spaces provided about the base of a tree, or trees, to permit the access of air, water, and fertilizer to the roots of a tree, or trees; or
(7) String or bury wires or lines through a public park.
(B) The Tree Board, or its assigned representative, shall review all requests for such permits prior to the city granting permission. The Tree Board, or its assigned representative, will offer advice as to how to minimize or eliminate the risk to the tree(s). This advice will be extended to the city and the party requesting the permit within forty-five (45) days of receipt by the Tree Board.
(C) The city may grant written permission if the activity for which permission is requested is in the Comprehensive Tree Plan or if the situation is deemed an emergency. Any person, or persons, who cause damage to any city tree(s) shall be held liable for damage to said tree(s) as specified in § 96.99.
(Ord. 1996-01-01, passed 2-12-96)