For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CITY. The City of Urbandale, Iowa, and where appropriate, shall include its officers, employees and agents.
MUNICIPAL INFRACTION. A violation of this code of ordinances or any ordinance or code herein adopted by reference or the omission or failure to perform any act or duty required by the same, with the exception of those provisions specifically provided under state law as a felony, an aggravated misdemeanor, or a serious misdemeanor, or a simple misdemeanor under Iowa Code Chapters 687 through 747, is a MUNICIPAL INFRACTION punishable by civil penalty as provided in § 32.999.
NUISANCE. Physical conditions that are dangerous or detrimental to the health or safety of persons on or near the premises where the conditions exist, or anything that is injurious to the senses or interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.
OBSTRUCTION. The interference with utilities, pedestrians or traffic.
PLANTING SEASON. A period during which the city can install the trees in the ground with a reasonable probability that the installed trees would survive.
PRUNING. The removal of plant parts to improve the health, landscape effect or the value of the plant.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. Any improvements on public property, including, but not limited to, paving, sidewalks, grass, vegetation, trees, street lights, traffic signals, water mains, sewers, electric transmission lines and equipment related thereto.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. City-owned property including, but not limited to, parks, open spaces, rights-of-way or other publicly-owned or publicly maintained lands.
PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY (ROW). The area on, below or above a public roadway, highway, street, bridge, cartway, bicycle lane or public sidewalk in which the local government has an interest, including other dedicated rights-of-way and road easements for travel purposes. Use of the ROW is governed by the City Council.
SHRUB. A woody plant, usually having a mature height of less than 15 feet and having a growth habit consisting of multiple stems or canes rather than a single trunk from the base.
TREE. A woody plant, usually having a mature height of 15 feet or more that grows from the ground with a single trunk or several trunks depending on the natural growth habit.
TREE TOPPING. The severe cutting back of limbs within the tree’s crown to a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree.
(Ord. 2002-15, passed 8-20-2002)