(A) It is the policy of the city to regulate and control the planting, removal, pruning and protection of trees and other vegetation within streets, highways and alley rights-of-way and public park areas within the boundaries of the city; to eliminate and guard against dangerous conditions which may result in injury to persons using the public areas of the city; to prevent damage to any public sewer or water main, street, sidewalk or other public property; to protect trees located in public areas from undesirable and unsafe planting, removal, pruning and protection practices; and to guard all trees within the public areas of the city against the spread of disease or pests. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all trees, shrubs, weeds, vines and brush planted in or upon any public area and in certain instances on private property within the city and any existing trees that violate other sections of this chapter.
(B) It is also the intent of this chapter to maintain all public and private areas in the city in such a manner that they are free of weeds, vines and brush; to eliminate and guard against dangerous conditions which may cause injury or illness to persons using the public areas; to promote and enhance the beauty of the city; and to guard against pestilence and widespread weed invasion of any area of the city. State legislation or State Department of Transportation rules take precedence over this chapter if along a state-designated highway.
(Ord. 15042, passed 6-13-2022)