2.26.170: POWERS AND DUTIES OF URBAN FORESTER:

The urban forester shall be the supervisor of the urban forestry program of the department of public lands and shall be responsible to the director of the department of public lands in carrying out the duties of this position. The urban forester shall initiate an urban forest management plan. (Ord. 31-21, 2021: Ord. 45-93 § 7, 1993: Ord. 75-88 § 1, 1988)

2.26.180: RULES AND REGULATIONS:

The urban forester may recommend, and the mayor may adopt, additional regulations to be known as the urban forestry standards and specifications proper and necessary to effectuate the urban forest management plan within the city providing reasonable guidance for planting and maintaining public trees. Such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with any other law or ordinance. (Ord. 75-88 § 1, 1988)

2.26.190: STREET TREES; PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Any owner of private property, abutting city parking/planting strips upon which street trees are located, shall have the following responsibilities:

   A.   Periodic watering and fertilization of street trees when necessary to maintain good health and vigor;

   B.   Protection of street trees against damage caused by lawn mowers, weed trimmers, snowblowers and similar equipment. (Ord. 75-88 § 1, 1988)

2.26.200: STREET/PUBLIC TREES; PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER REQUESTS:

Where an owner of private real property abutting city property, or tenant thereon, requests city action on street trees or public trees, the requester shall pay the city, at the rate then prevailing under a city contract for such services, for the following:

   A.   Removal of trees, limbs or roots preventing house moving or other construction activities;

   B.   Removal of trees, limbs or roots for the alteration of tree or abutting property appearance where no hazard or nuisance exists;

   C.   Spraying, fertilizing or treatment other than may be regularly conducted on a citywide basis by the city.

Financial responsibility does not eliminate the requirement of obtaining necessary permits required by this chapter. (Ord. 47-93 § 1, 1993: Ord. 75-88 § 1, 1988)

2.26.210: LANDSCAPE PERMIT FOR PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY:

It is unlawful for any person to plant, prune or remove any public tree, without first obtaining a permit from the department of public lands. Permits shall not be required for work performed by city personnel.

   A.   Planting And Maintaining Public Trees: The Salt Lake City urban forestry standards and specifications shall be used as a guideline for planting and pruning public trees.

   B.   Removing Trees: The urban forester must approve any permit for removal of public trees and as a condition, the permittee may be required to compensate the city for the value of the tree(s) removed either by replacement thereof or by monetary assessment.

   C.   Permit Fee: Commercial companies, public utilities or individuals employed in the landscaping or arboricultural business shall be required to pay a permit fee per job as shown on the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule or a permit fee per year as shown on the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule. (Ord. 31-21, 2021: Ord. 24-11, 2011)

2.26.220: CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS:

Where an application for a conditional use is filed with the planning commission on zoning and the planning commission deems it appropriate, the urban forester shall review the landscape improvement design of any conditional use application and make recommendations to the commission. (Ord. 8-12, 2012)

2.26.230: PUBLIC NUISANCE DEFINED AND DESIGNATED:

The following are defined and declared to be public nuisances under this chapter:

   A.   Any tree or shrub located on private property having a destructive or communicable disease or other pestilence which endangers the growth, health, life or well being of trees, shrubs or plants in the city or which is capable of causing an epidemic spread of a communicable disease or insect infestation;

   B.   The roots of any tree or shrub, located on private property, which cause the surface of the public street, curb or sidewalk to be upheaved or otherwise disturbed;

   C.   Any tree, shrub or portion thereof located on private property which, by reason of location or condition, constitutes an imminent danger to the health, safety or well being of the general public on city property. (Ord. 75-88 § 1, 1988)

2.26.240: RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC NUISANCE FIXED:

Where a nuisance exists upon property, and is the outgrowth of the usual, natural or necessary use of property, the landlord thereof, or his or her agent, the tenant or his or her agent, and all other persons having control of the property on which such nuisance exists, shall be deemed to be the authors thereof, and shall be equally liable therefor. (Ord. 75-88 § 1, 1988)

2.26.250: NUISANCE CREATION AND MAINTENANCE:

It is unlawful for any person, either as owner, agent or occupant, to create, or aid in creating or contributing to, or to maintain a public nuisance. (Ord. 75-88 § 1, 1988)