(a) In the event that a person or entity removes a tree for any reason other than the tree having posed a hazard or having fallen, that person or entity shall compensate for the loss of canopy in one of the following ways:
(1) By planting a tree with a mature DBH equivalent to the DBH of the removed tree, or trees equivalent to that number, on private property in the city; or
(2) By depositing into the Tree Canopy Fund an amount that represents the city's cost to obtain and plant trees to replace the removed tree on the same site or elsewhere in the city at the 3x mature DBH rate.
(b) It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm or City department to top any public tree. “Topping” means the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Public trees severely damaged by storms or other causes, or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this section at the determination of the Tree Commission.
(Ord. 16-92. Passed 7-27-92; Ord. 20-15. Passed 12-28-15.)