(a) Permit for Installation or Removal of Sidewalk Landscaping. Permits to install or remove sidewalk landscaping shall be subject to the rules and procedures applicable to planting and removal of street trees under Section 806(b).
(b) Permit Decision.
(1) The Director of the Department, in his or her discretion, may approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the requested permit. When issuing permits, the Director may impose any conditions consistent with the public health, safety, welfare, and convenience, including, but not limited to, appropriate time, place, and manner restrictions and considerations to minimize neighborhood impacts.
(2) All sidewalk landscape permits are revocable at the will of the Director. In addition, when, in the judgment of the Director of Public Works, the public interest or convenience will be served by the removal of the dirt, debris, materials and equipment or any portion thereof from the sidewalk space, the Director shall modify, condition, or revoke the permit accordingly.
(c) Fees. The fee for a sidewalk landscape permit is $215.00. If two, three, or four applicants on the same block submit a joint application for a sidewalk landscape permit, the fee is $185.00 for each applicant. If five or more applicants on the same block submit a joint application for a sidewalk landscape permit, the fee is $160.00 for each applicant. Fees for removal of sidewalk landscaping shall be the same as the fee charged for permits to remove street trees.
(1) Fee Review and Adjustment. Beginning with fiscal year 2007-2008, the fees that are established herein shall be reviewed and adjusted each year in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.1.2.
(d) Minimum Accessibility Requirements.
(1) In no case shall the new sidewalk-landscape result in an unobstructed sidewalk width of less than 48 inches or increase the cross-slope of the portion of the sidewalk designated as an accessible path-of-travel.
(2) For each curbside parking space (approximately 20 feet of curb length), the design shall include a minimum 48-inch wide accessible curbside parking path that is perpendicular and connects the curb to the sidewalk path of travel. This path shall be: (i) located at the approximate centerline of each curbside parking space; (ii) made of concrete, pavers, or brick; and (iii) set on a firm base.
(e) The permit holder shall be responsible for maintaining the sidewalk-landscape area in a condition that is safe to pedestrians and vehicular traffic and free of litter and unsightly weeds. The permit holder also shall be responsible to maintain the health of plants with appropriate pruning, watering, and other care.
(f) Waiver of Requirements. The Director, in his or her discretion, may waive any of the substantive requirements for a sidewalk landscape permit. The Director may issue a waiver only after holding a public hearing on the waiver request and issuing a written decision concerning whether the waiver will be granted, conditionally granted, or denied. When issuing such waivers, the Director may impose any conditions consistent with the public health, safety, welfare, and convenience.
(g) Regulations. In addition to the requirements set forth in this Section, the Director, after a public hearing, may adopt such orders, policies, regulations, rules, or standard plans and specifications as he or she deems necessary in order to preserve and maintain the public health, safety, welfare, and convenience. Such orders, policies, regulations, or rules may include, but are not limited to, permit application materials, planting guidelines, planting locations, materials, key design dimensions for planting areas, site conditions, replanting, landscape design modifications, and accessibility of sidewalks and streets. When such orders, policies, regulations or rules will affect the operations and enforcement of the Department of Parking and Traffic or the Municipal Railway, the Director shall consult with and provide an opportunity to comment to the General Manager of the Municipal Transportation Agency prior to adoption of such orders, policies, regulations, or rules.
(Added by Ord. 121-06, File No. 060142, App. 6/14/2006)