[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of Pawtucket, approved 10-18-1991
as Ch. No. 2228. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all property within the
City of Pawtucket.
This chapter will serve to protect the health, safety and welfare of
the citizens of Pawtucket by regulating tree management activities.
The protection of this valuable natural resource will serve to enhance
the community in the following ways:
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Pawtucket Tree
Ordinance."
A.
When not inconsistent with the context, words used in
the present tense include the future and words in singular number include
the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
B.
APPLICANT
APPROVAL
CITY FORESTER
DRIP LINE
DROP CROTCH PRUNING
HISTORIC TREE
PARKS
PERSON
PROPERTY LINE
PROPERTY OWNER
PRUNING STANDARDS
PUBLIC PLACE
PUBLIC TREES
STREET OR HIGHWAY
SYSTEMIZED TREE MANAGEMENT AND PLANTING PROGRAM
TREE
TREE LAWN
TREE REMOVAL
TREE WELL
TRIMMING
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms,
phrases, words and their derivatives shall have the meaning given herein:
A person who is applying for a license or permit required by this
chapter.
Written assent from the Pawtucket Parks Commission or the City Forester
pursuant to a duly executed application for approval made on a form promulgated
by the City of Pawtucket.
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
The Municipal Arborist, City Forester, Landscape Architect, Director,
Division of Grounds Maintenance Services, Supervisor of Urban Forestry Operations
or other qualified designated official of the city assigned to carry out the
enforcement of this chapter.
A vertical line extended from the outermost portion of a tree canopy
or crown to the ground.
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
The reduction of tops, sides, under branches or of individual tree
limbs to be taken as specified in the International Society of Arboriculture,
Western Chapter, dated May 9, 1988, revised June 6, 1988.
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
Any public tree which has been designated by the Pawtucket Parks
Commission to be of notable historic value or interest because of its type,
age, size or historic association.
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
Includes any city public spaces designated for recreation and/or
conservation.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company
or organization of any kind, including public utilities and city departments.
The boundary between private and city-owned land.
The person owning such property as shown by the records of the Recorder
of Deeds of the City of Pawtucket.
Officially recognized by this chapter and those designated to enforce
it as those standards set forth by the International Society of Arboriculture,
Western Chapter, dated May 9, 1988, as revised by that organization from time
to time and as amended by this chapter.
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
Includes any other ground owned by the city.
Includes all trees now or hereafter growing on any street, park or
any other public place.
The entire width of every public way or right-of-way when any part
thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes
of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
[Added 11-17-1992
by Ch. No. 2284] -- A comprehensive administrative program which ensures the
regular maintenance and enhancement of the city's urban forest and which
includes, but is not limited to:
Any living, self-supporting woody plant that has a well-defined stem(s)
with a caliper of at least two (2) inches [seven and sixty-two hundredths
(7.62) centimeters] at five (5) feet [one and six-tenths (1.6) centimeters]
from the ground level.
That part of a street or highway not covered by sidewalk or other
paving, lying between the property line and that portion of the street or
highway usually used for vehicular traffic.
Includes any act that will cause a tree to die within a three-year
period.
Opening in the ground area surrounding the base of the tree trunk
not covered by sidewalk and paving. Tree well openings shall have a minimum
pit size of three by three (3 x 3) feet.
The removal of nonessential branches less than two (2) inches in
diameter.
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
A.
The Pawtucket Parks Commission, hereinafter referenced
to as the "Commission," shall have jurisdiction over all forestry functions,
including the planting, care and removal of trees, shrubs and other plants
on the properties for which it is responsible. It shall do all acts necessary
and proper for the care, management, improvement, maintenance and protection
of the public parks and street trees under its jurisdiction.
B.
The duties of said Commission shall be interpreted to
include but not be limited to the protection, maintenance, removal and planting
of trees on public property, and to make such recommendations from time to
time to the City Council as to desirable legislation concerning the tree program
and activities for the city.
A.
Appointment and qualifications of the City Forester.
The City Forester shall be appointed by the Pawtucket Parks Commission and
confirmed by the City Council. Said person shall have a minimum of a two-year
college degree and two (2) to four (4) years of experience with a private
tree company and/or a municipal forestry department and shall have a Rhode
Island arborist license.
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
B.
Duties of the City Forester.
(1)
The City Forester shall affirm and endorse the purpose
and intent of this chapter and shall cause the provisions of this chapter
to be enforced.
(2)
The City Forester shall, with the advice of the Pawtucket
Parks Commission and the approval of the Pawtucket City Council, prepare and
enact an annual Systematized Tree Management and Planting Program for the
City of Pawtucket which shall be prepared as an integral part of a Master
Systematized Tree Management and Tree Planting Plan which shall be adopted
every five (5) years starting with the inception of this chapter.
(3)
The City Forester is further charged with keeping informed
of environmental and technical changes that could affect the city's public
and protected trees.
(4)
It shall also be the duty of the City Forester to implement
such rules, regulations and permit and penalty procedures as are deemed necessary
to carry out the intent and enforcement of this chapter.
(5)
The City Forester shall communicate and work with all
civic and public interest groups interested in or devoted to tree care, preservation
or planting.
C.
Authority of the City Forester.
(1)
The City Forester shall have the authority and jurisdiction
of regulating and enacting the maintenance, removal and planting of public
and protected trees to ensure public safety, preserving the aesthetics of
public sites with regard to trees and protecting the value and health of Pawtucket's
urban forest as a whole.
(2)
The City Forester shall consider the existing and future
utility and environmental factors when recommending a specific species for
each of the streets and other public sites and when issuing permits for tree
work, removal or planting.
(3)
The City Forester shall have the responsibility of regularly
updating the Master Systematized Tree Management and Planting Program.
(4)
The City Forester shall have the authority to review
all requests for permits for any planting, removal, pruning and/or trimming
or cutting of trees in any public area, with the exception of an historic
or protected tree. He or she shall also have the authority to grant or deny
and to attach reasonable conditions to all permits with the exception of those
specifically exempted herein.
(5)
The City Forester shall enforce such rules, regulations
and permit and penalty procedures as are deemed necessary to enforce the intent
of this chapter.
A.
The City Forester or his or her agents, under the power
herein given, may cause or order to be removed, trimmed or treated any tree
or part thereof on private grounds which is in an unsafe condition so that
it poses a threat to the public or public property or which by reason of its
nature is injurious to sewers or other public improvements or right-of-way,
or is afflicted with an injurious fungus, insect or other pest so as to constitute
a threat to the health of the city's urban forest.
B.
The City Forester or his or her agents shall have the
power to enter upon any private grounds in the city to treat or cause or order
to be treated any tree infested by a parasite insect or pest, when it shall
be deemed necessary in his or her opinion to do so to prevent the breeding
of any parasite or animal pest, and to prevent danger therefrom to persons
or property, or to trees planted in the public streets or other public places.
Due notice shall be given to the property owner prior to any action on the
part of the City Forester.
C.
It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, prevent,
delay or interfere with the City Forester or any work being done by an employee
of the city while engaged in the lawful execution of this chapter. This shall
not be construed as an attempt to prohibit the pursuit of any legal or equitable
remedy in a court of competent jurisdiction.
It shall be the duty of person(s) owning or occupying real property
bordering on any public street or thoroughfare, upon which property there
may be trees, to prune in such manner that they will not obstruct or shade
street lights, obstruct the passage of pedestrians on sidewalks, obstruct
vision of traffic signs or obstruct the view of any street or intersection
so as to pose a threat to pedestrian or vehicular safety. The minimum clearance
of any overhanging portion thereof shall be eight (8) feet [two and forty-four
hundredths (2.44) meters] over sidewalks and twelve (12) feet [three and sixty-five
hundredths (3.65) meters] over all streets and thoroughfares and/or at the
discretion of the City Forester.
A.
During development, redevelopment, razing or renovating,
no trees shall be cut, damaged, destroyed or removed except by specified permit.
(1)
All trees removed, destroyed or severely damaged shall
be replaced at the expense of the permittee. The total caliper of all trees
planted in the course of restoration shall in no event be less than the total
caliper of all trees removed. Replacement shall be made with two-and-one-half-
to six-inch caliper trees and/or as directed by the City Forester.
(2)
If sufficient tree planting locations are unavailable
within the contract area, the replacement trees shall be planted within one-fourth
(1/4) mile of the contract area as determined by the City Forester except
by special permit of the City Forester.
B.
All trees within thirty (30) feet [nine and one-tenth
(9.1) meters] of any excavation or construction of any building, structure
or street work shall be guarded through the length of the project with a good
substantial fence, frame or box not less than four (4) feet [one and two-tenths
(1.2) meters] high and eight (8) feet [two and four-tenths (2.4) meters] square,
or equivalent. All equipment, building materials, chemicals, dirt or other
debris shall be kept outside the barrier at all times.
C.
No person shall intentionally damage, cut, carve or transplant
any tree; attach any rope, wire, nails, advertising posters or other contrivance
to any tree; allow any gaseous, liquid, chemical or solid substance that is
harmful to such trees to come in contact with them; or set fire or permit
any fire to burn when such fire or the heat thereof will injure any portion
of any tree without first obtaining a written permit from the City Forester.
D.
No person shall deposit, place, store or maintain any
stone, brick, sand, fill dirt, concrete or other materials that may impede
the free passage of water, air and fertilizer to the roots of any tree growing
therein, except by written permit of the City Forester.
E.
No person shall preclude the percolation of water or
nutrients and gaseous exchange vital to a tree's survival by placing
any impervious materials (asphalt, macadam, concrete) within the confines
of the tree-well opening.
A.
Any person desiring to plant a tree upon any public street
or public place must first obtain a permit from the City Forester. Any permit
shall be granted to a date certain and shall include consideration of appropriateness
of species, location, size and public safety.
B.
Should the plantings(s) be performed by persons other
than the City Forester or his or her agents, the proposed method and workmanship
for planting as prescribed by the City Forester shall be adhered to.
C.
A planting plan is required where more than six (6) trees
are to be planted.
(1)
Any person desiring to plant more than six (6) trees
on public streets or on public places shall, in addition to applying for a
permit, submit a plan or written statement in duplicate to the City Forester,
who shall return one (1) copy to the applicant and keep one (1) copy on file
with the city. The City Forester shall consult with the Pawtucket Parks Commission
prior to issuing a permit to plant.
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
(2)
All planting plans shall show accurately:
(a)
The proposed park or public place site, or proposed street
width, with any curbs, parking strips, driveways, sidewalks and adjacent structures
accurately defined to scale.
(b)
The proposed location of each proposed tree, together
with the location of each existing tree within the proposed site in scaled
relation to the other features of the plan.
(c)
The species of each and every tree proposed to be planted
and of those already existing within the proposed site either indicated on
the plans or referenced with a number with a key list.
The requirements of this chapter may be waived by the Mayor in the case
of emergencies, such as windstorms, ice storms or other disasters, so that
they, in no way, shall hinder private or public work to restore order in the
city. This work shall follow maintenance standards as outlined by the City
Forester.
No person shall move any building or any other large object that may
injure public or protected trees or parts thereof without first obtaining
the written approval of the City Forester and abiding by his or her requirements.
A.
A permit shall be a written document that authorizes
the bearer thereof to perform the proposed work as outlined on such permit.
The permit shall be issued only by the City Forester or his/her representative.
B.
A permit shall be obtained by filling out an application.
Upon approving the application, the City Forester or his/her representative
shall issue said permit.
C.
A permit shall be required for planting, spraying, pruning,
cutting above ground, removing or otherwise disturbing any tree on any street,
park or other public place.
D.
The City Forester shall issue any permit provided for
herein if the proposed method and workmanship shall be of a satisfactory nature
and the project shall be consistent with this chapter. Any permit granted
shall contain a definite date of expiration, and the work shall be completed
in the time allowed in the permit and in the manner as therein described.
Any permit shall be void if its terms are violated.
E.
The City Forester shall be notified by the bearer of
said permit upon satisfactory completion of designated work.
F.
Plantings:
(1)
The application required herein shall state the number
of trees to be set out or planted in public places, the location, grade, species,
cultivar or variety of each tree, the method of planting and such other information
as the City Forester shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination
of whether a permit should be issued.
(2)
The City Forester shall have the right to make the final
determination as to location, species, cultivar or variety of each tree and
the method of planting before issuing said permit.
G.
Maintenance. The application required herein shall state:
(1)
The number and kinds of trees to be sprayed, fertilized,
pruned or otherwise preserved.
(2)
The kind of treatment to be administered.
(3)
The composition of the spray material to be applied.
(4)
Such other information as the City Forester shall find
reasonably necessary to a fair determination of whether a permit should be
issued.
H.
Removal, replanting and replacement.
(1)
Wherever it is necessary to remove a tree in connection
with the paving of a sidewalk or the widening of the portion of a street or
highway, the city shall replant the tree or replace it. This requirement will
be satisfied if an equivalent number of trees of the same size and species
as provided in the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice
are planted within one-fourth (1/4) mile of the original tree location.
(2)
No person shall remove a public tree for the purpose
of construction or any other reason without first filing an application and
procuring a permit from the City Forester. The City Forester may require replacement
of a removed tree as a condition to the issuance of a permit. Such replacement
shall meet the standards of size, species and placement as provided for in
a permit issued by the City Forester. The person or property owner shall bear
the cost of removal and replacement of all trees removed.
To protect the public, the city shall require any person who removes
or maintains trees on public property as a business to:
A.
Be properly licensed to perform such work.
B.
Be certified by the State of Rhode Island or any other
agency that regulates arboricultural practices.
C.
Be covered by workers' compensation to the extent
required by Rhode Island law and public liability and personal property insurance
in minimum amounts hereinafter mentioned adequate to cover and save harmless
the City of Pawtucket and its agents from all suits, claims or actions of
every class and nature for or on persons, or property damage caused or claimed
to be caused, directly or indirectly, by the conduct of the work contemplated,
or by or in acts of strangers, or any conditions due to the elements or any
defects or insufficiencies in any method, material, ways, machinery, equipment
or apparatus used in connection with the work.
D.
Carry public liability insurance with limits of not less
than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.).
E.
Be bonded.
F.
Be insured (medical).
No person shall hinder, prevent, delay or interfere with the City Forester
or any of his or her assistants while engaged in carrying out the implementation
of this chapter; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed
as an attempt to prohibit the pursuit of any remedy, legal or equitable, in
any court of competent jurisdiction for the protection of property rights
by the owner of any property within the city.
A.
Any adjustment of the standards required by this chapter
or an appeal of a decision of the City Forester shall be taken to the Parks
Commission. The Parks Commission, upon receipt of such request on forms provided
by the City Forester, shall have the authority and duty to consider and act
upon the request. This application shall clearly and in detail state what
adjustments or requirements are being requested, reasons such adjustments
are warranted, and shall be accompanied with such supplementary data as is
deemed necessary to substantiate the adjustment. The Parks Commission may
approve, modify or deny the requested adjustment, based upon protection of
public interest, preservation of the intent of this chapter and possible unreasonable
and unnecessary hardships involved in the case.
B.
The Commission shall act on the application as expeditiously
as possible and shall notify the applicant in writing within five (5) days
of the action taken.
A.
Any person violating or failing to comply with any of
the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to court action and, upon
conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of up to three hundred dollars
($300.) and/or the value of the trees removed or damaged.
B.
In addition, the person shall replace the tree and/or
repair damage with a size and species permitted by the City Forester.
C.
Each tree affected by noncompliance with this chapter
shall constitute a separate violation.
D.
Violation of this chapter shall be the basis of withholding
a final inspection permit until such violation is corrected to the satisfaction
of the City Forester and/or Parks Commission.
[Added 11-17-1992 by Ch. No. 2284]
