(A) It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm or city department to top a street tree, park tree or any other tree on public property in the city. To TOP a tree shall mean the severe cutting back of limbs within the tree’s crown to stubs larger than three inches in diameter to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy of the tree and disfigure the tree. Crown reduction by a certified arborist may be substituted where appropriate.
(B) Where other practices are impractical, trees which are severely damaged by storms or other causes and trees under utility wires or other obstructions may be exempted from this section.
(C) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Mayor of the city determines that any tree poses a risk to the safety of the public or to life or property as a result of damage it has suffered or by reason of its physical condition, then the tree may be altered in any form or fashion which is deemed necessary by the Mayor in the Mayor’s sole and absolute discretion.
(Prior Code, § 18.04.120) (Ord. 2009-11, passed 8-3-2009) Penalty, see § 157.99