521.12 TREE TRIMMING AND REMOVAL.

   (a)   Trimming of Trees, Shrubbery Required. The owner of every lot or parcel of land within the City upon which a tree, plant or shrubbery stands with any part thereof upon or overhanging a public street or sidewalk shall conform to the regulations herein provided; otherwise, the City shall cause such trees to be trimmed or cut down and removed in accordance with such regulations and assess the cost thereof against the owner of such lot or parcel of land.

      (1)   Such owner shall trim or cause to be trimmed such trees, plant or shrubbery so that a clear height of eight feet between the lowest branches of the same and the street or sidewalk is maintained.

      (2)   Such owner shall trim or remove, as the case may require, every dead, decayed or broken tree, plant or shrubbery or part thereof, so that the same shall not fall to the street or sidewalk.

      (3)   Such owner shall cut down and remove any tree, plant or shrubbery, or any part thereof, as may be necessary to provide a clear and unobstructed view of traffic from all directions at any street intersection, or to abate any nuisance necessary to protect life, limb or property of persons, drivers of any vehicles or pedestrians using such street or sidewalk. (Ord. 67-47. Passed 7-11-67.)

      (4)   Notwithstanding the above requirements, the City shall be responsible for the trimming of trees and shrubbery, at its cost, for trees and shrubbery which overhangs or abuts a public street or sidewalk which is located in the downtown Sharonville area which is hereby defined as including zones CB and GBA.

         (Ord. 98-38. Passed 6-9-98.)

   (b)   Removal of Trees by City. In the event the owner does not trim or remove any trees, plant or shrubbery, or any part thereof, in accordance with the provisions of this section, then the Safety-Service Director is authorized and it is declared to be his duty to have enforced, the provisions of this section, and to cause to be trimmed or removed such tree, plant or shrubbery, or part thereof.

   (c)   Assessment of Costs by City. Whenever any tree, plant or shrubbery, or part thereof, is growing in any street, public place or upon private property contiguous to a street or sidewalk, or public place, and is trimmed or removed by the City, then, after the work is done, the City shall give five days’ notice, by regular mail, to the owner of such lot or parcel of land, at his last known address, to pay the cost of such trimming or removal of trees, plants, shrubbery or parts thereof. Such notice shall be accompanied by a statement of the amount of cost incurred, and in the event the same is not paid within thirty days after the mailing of the notice, then such amount shall be certified to the County Auditor for collection the same as other taxes and assessments are collected.

(Ord. 67-47. Passed 7-11-67.)

   (d)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.