(1) The Fairmount Park Commission ("Commission") shall have exclusive custody and control of and responsibility for the street trees on the streets of Philadelphia and shall make rules and regulations consistent with this Section 15-203 regarding the planting, setting out, removal, maintenance, protection and care of said trees as are necessary. The Commission may grant permission to individuals, groups or firms to perform such services either voluntarily or by contract. Such rules and regulations shall also prohibit any action deemed to be detrimental to the life of said trees.
(2) (a) The Commission shall, itself or by contract, provide maintenance for all street trees whether abutting private or public property including, but not limited to, trimming, pruning and spraying (as necessary) of all street trees. The Commission shall by regulation adopt a schedule for such maintenance, and may for that purpose adopt any commonly accepted national arborculture standards for maintenance. No costs shall be charged to an abutting private property owner for any street tree maintenance unless expressly authorized by ordinance of City Council.
(b) Council hereby finds that in providing by regulation for the maintenance of street trees, the Commission should adopt commonly accepted national arborculture standards for such maintenance.
(3) The Commission shall be responsible for taking appropriate action to eliminate dangerous conditions caused by dead, dying, dangerous or diseased street trees whether abutting private or public property. The Commission shall, by regulation, adopt procedures by which it shall carry out that responsibility. Such regulations shall provide for the Commission's receipt of written notification of dangerous street tree conditions, and for the Commission's response to such notification, including the performance of inspections and other actions as the Commission deems necessary, within such time frame as the Commission shall determine is reasonable. No costs shall be charged to an abutting private property owner for any street tree removal unless expressly authorized by ordinance of City Council.
Notes
| 10 | Added, 1979 Ordinances, p. 1379; amended, Bill No. 960826-A (approved July 1, 1997). Section 2 of the 1997 Ordinance notes that the amendments take effect January 1, 1998. |