(a) No person shall plant any tree or shrub upon any public way, curb strip, street, alley or Municipal property unless he or she has first obtained a permit therefor, in writing, from the Service Director, specifying the size, type, species and location on the public way, curb strip, street, alley or Municipal property of the tree or shrub to be so planted. Approval to plant requires adherence to the specifications of the Service Director.
(b) The Service Director may deny a permit to any person who proposes to plant any tree or shrub upon a public way, curb strip, street, alley or Municipal property of a size, type or species found to be undesirable by the Service Director or found to be undesirable for the location proposed, or he or she may deny a permit to any person who proposes to plant any tree or shrub upon a public way, curb strip, street, alley or Municipal property at a location found by the Service Director to be of a size or type unsuitable for the planting of trees or shrubs.
(c) Whenever any tree or shrub is planted upon a public way, curb strip, street, alley or Municipal property in conflict with the specifications of the Service Director, the City may request the removal thereof by the property owner within thirty days.
(d) Trees and shrubs planted upon a public way, curb strip, street, alley or Municipal property may be removed by the City as necessary to protect the public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics. The Service Director may cause the removal of any such tree or shrub by using City employees, or private contractors under contract with the City.
(Ord. 1987-46. Passed 7-15-87.)
(e) Any person being the owner of real property abutting a right of way shall maintain all trees or shrubs on the property to ensure that no tree or shrub shall obstruct or interfere with the free passage of pedestrians on any sidewalk, the free passage of vehicles on the paved portion of the right of way or the view of traffic signs or signals. Property owners shall maintain a minimum tree clearance of nine feet above sidewalks and fourteen feet above the paved portion of the right of way.
(Ord. 1989-78. Passed 7-10-89. Ord. 98-95. Passed 5-19-98; Ord. 01-72, passed 6-5-01)