[1]
Cross Reference: See also Chapter 245, Tree Regulations And City Tree Board.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.160; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to establish minimum standards for the provision, installation, maintenance and removal of landscape plantings in order to achieve a healthy, visually pleasing and safe community by the following means:
1. 
Preservation Of Vegetation. Preserve existing natural vegetation and the incorporation of native plants, plant communities and ecosystems into landscape design, where possible.
2. 
Aesthetics. Improve the appearance of all areas through the incorporation of open space into development in ways that harmonize and enhance the natural and built environment.
3. 
Land Values. Maintain and increase the value of land by requiring landscape improvements to be incorporated into development, thus becoming by itself a valuable capital asset.
4. 
Human Values. Provide direct and important physical and psychological benefits to human beings through the use of landscape materials to reduce noise and glare, to provide visual diversity and seasonal interest and visually soften the harsher aspects of urban development.
5. 
Improved Design. Promote innovative and cost-conscious approaches to the design, installation and maintenance of landscaping, encouraging water and energy conservation.
6. 
Improved Administration And Enforcement. Establish procedures, standards and qualified staff for the administration and enforcement of this Chapter.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.170; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
This Section contains the performance standards and regulations pertaining to the landscape elements of residential, commercial and industrial properties, requirements for preservation of trees, requirements for the provision of trees along public rights-of-way, maintenance requirements for trees and other landscape components adjacent to public rights-of-way and administration and enforcement of these regulations.
B. 
Applicability. Except as otherwise specifically provided for herein, this Article shall apply to new property development in all zoning districts; any cumulative permitted landscaping renovation in excess of twenty percent (20%) and maintenance of existing trees and landscaping on existing individual lots in "C-1" and "E-1" Zoning Districts; and to the installation, maintenance and/or replacement of trees in public rights-of-way in all zoning districts. No permit shall be issued as provided for herein in violation of the regulations set forth herein.
C. 
Conflicts. If the provisions of this Article conflict with other Sections of this Code or other ordinances or regulations, the more stringent limitation or requirement shall govern or prevail to the extent of the conflict.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.180; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
The following definitions shall apply in interpretation and enforcement of this Article, unless otherwise specifically stated:
BUFFER, PERIMETER LANDSCAPE
A continuous area of land set aside along the perimeter of a lot in which plant materials may be used to provide a transition between and to reduce the environmental, aesthetic and other impacts of one type of land use upon another.
CANOPY TREE
A self-supporting woody plant or species normally growing to a mature height of not less than twenty (20) feet and a mature spread of not less than fifteen (15) feet in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Clusters of more than one (1) tree may be used when it is demonstrated to the Planning and Zoning Commission that the grouping of trees will, at maturity, surpass the fifteen-foot diameter requirement and that the grouping of trees is suitable for the proposed location.
CULTIVATED LANDSCAPE AREA
Planted areas that receive routine maintenance, such as mowing, irrigating, pruning, fertilizing, etc.
DEVELOPMENT
Any proposed material change in the use or character of the land, including, but not limited to, land clearing or the placement of any structure or site improvements on the land.
DRIP LINE
A vertical line extending from the outermost branch tips of a tree perpendicular to the finished grade.
GROUND COVER
Plants, other than turf grass, normally reaching an average maximum height of not more than twenty-four (24) inches at maturity.
HEDGE
A landscape barrier consisting of a continuous, dense planting of woody vegetation which may be either composed of trees or shrubs.
INCOMPATIBILITY OF LAND USES
An issue arising from the proximity or direct association of contradictory, incongruous or discordant land uses or activities, including the impacts of noise, vibration, smoke, odors, toxic matter, radiation and similar environmental conditions.
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
A permanent, artificial watering system installed below grade designed to transport and distribute controlled amounts of water to plants.
LANDSCAPE AMENITIES
Any combination of non-living landscape material, such as rocks, pebbles, sand, mulch, walls, fences or decorative paving materials.
LANDSCAPE PLANTINGS
Any combination of living plants, such as grass, ground cover, shrubs, vines, hedges or trees.
MULCH
Non-living organic and synthetic materials customarily used in landscaping designed to retain moisture, stabilize soil temperatures, control weed growth and retard erosion.
PLANT COMMUNITY
A natural association of plants that are dominated by one (1) or more prominent species or a characteristic physical attribute.
SHRUB
A self-supporting woody perennial plant of low to medium height characterized by multiple stems and branches continuous from the base, usually not more than ten (10) feet in height at its maturity.
SITE SPECIFIC PLANTING
The selection of plant materials which are particularly well suited to withstand macroclimate and microclimate conditions that are specific to that location.
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE IN LAND USE
1. 
A change in land use that increases the intensity of land use; or
2. 
A change in land use that creates an incompatibility or increases the incompatibility of adjacent land uses; or
3. 
An increase in the total floor area of multiple dwellings or non-residential buildings that results in increased traffic generation.
TOPPING
The severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three (3) inches in diameter with the tree's crown to such degree so as to distort the normal canopy shape, thus disfiguring the tree.
UNDERSTORY PLANT MATERIAL
Assemblages of natural low-level woody, herbaceous and ground cover species which exist in the area below the canopy of the trees.
UNDERSTORY TREE
Any self-supporting woody perennial plant which has a diameter at breast height (dbh) of two (2) inches or more and which normally attains an overall height of at least fifteen (15) feet at maturity, usually with one (1) main stem or trunk and many branches. It may appear to have several stems or trunks in several species.
VIABLE
When referring to a tree, shrub or other type of plant, is a plant that, in the judgment of the Building Commissioner or his/her designated representative, is capable of sustaining its own life processes, unaided by man, for a reasonable period of time.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.190; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
Where new development is proposed, the owner or developer shall:
1. 
Preserve existing trees to the maximum extent possible; however, the developer shall preserve no less than forty percent (40%) of the existing canopy trees on the property and no less than twenty percent (20%) of the existing understory trees; and
2. 
Preserve all existing trees within the landscape buffer as required in Chapter 410 of this Code; and
3. 
Replace trees that are removed for the development in an amount equal to the total caliper inches removed; replacement trees shall be the species and caliper width as specified in Section 415.210 of this Article. "Street trees" required by Section 415.200 shall not be included in measuring the caliper width of replacement trees.
B. 
A landscape plan showing tree preservation and replacement, among other items, shall be submitted for approval with all preliminary and final development plans in accordance with Section 415.260 of this Chapter and with Chapter 405 of this Code.
C. 
No cut or fill (grading) over a four-inch depth shall occur within the dripline or root area of any preserved tree without evaluation and approval of the disturbance by the City and a qualified arborist or forester.
D. 
All replacement trees shall comply with the installation requirements of this Chapter. A minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the replacement trees shall be canopy trees and all replacement trees shall be of a variety set forth in Tables 1 through 4 in Section 415.210(A)(1)(e) of this Chapter.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.200; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
"Street trees" are those trees within fifteen (15) feet of any right-of-way.
B. 
Street trees shall not be removed without the City's prior approval; in all zoning districts, street trees shall be preserved or new street trees shall be installed by the owner or developer in accordance with the following:
1. 
For each existing residential lot or lot created by legal subdivision which is built upon subsequent to passage of this Chapter, at least one (1) canopy tree for each forty (40) feet of frontage to a public or private street shall be installed in the area between the sidewalk and the street edge or curb and shall be installed in accordance with the standards provided for in this Article.
2. 
In circumstances where existing parcels meeting the standard prescribed in this Subsection become non-conforming as a result of the loss of a canopy tree due to storm damage, disease or other means, the non-conforming condition shall be corrected as soon as weather and planting conditions permit. In such instances where public right-of-way is involved, the City shall be responsible for correcting the non-conforming condition (except in instances where the property owner has caused or condoned the damage). In such instances where private right-of-way is involved, the property owner shall be responsible for correcting the non-conforming condition. Any tree which replaces an existing tree shall be selected and installed in accordance with the standards provided for in this Article.
3. 
On parcels where no sidewalk exists, the required canopy trees shall be planted in an area not more than six (6) feet nor less than five (5) feet from the back of the curb or street edge. However, in no event shall a tree be planted where the clear space between the curb and the sidewalk is less than five (5) feet, except where special permission is obtained from the Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative.
4. 
On private property, no tree of any type shall be planted within five (5) feet of the right-of-way of any public street.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.210; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
The following standards shall be considered the minimum requirements for the installation of all plant materials on any lot within any zoning district where new development is going to take place, on all existing lots within the "C-1" and "E-1" zoning districts, and within public rights-of-way in all zoning districts.
1. 
Minimum tree and shrub planting or preservation requirements for all zoning districts:
a. 
Tree Planting Standards. Immediately upon planting, all trees shall conform to the American Association of Nurserymen Standards and have the following characteristics:
(1) 
In all "R" Districts, all medium to large canopy trees shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet in height and shall have a minimum caliper of two (2) inches. In all "C-1" and "M-1" Districts, all medium to large canopy trees shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet in height and shall have a minimum caliper of three (3) inches.
(2) 
All understory trees shall be at least five (5) feet in height, except where they are fulfilling the requirement as a landscape buffer as provided for in this Article, in which case they shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet in height. Deciduous small trees shall have a minimum caliper of two (2) inches, a minimum height of ten (10) feet and have not less than eight (8) branches on the upper half of the trunk.
(3) 
Tree Species Mix. When more than ten (10) trees are to be planted to meet the requirements of this Article, a mix of species shall be provided. The number of species to be planted shall vary according to the overall number of trees required to be planted. Species shall be planted in proportion to the mix.
(4) 
Except as otherwise provided for herein, a five-foot buffer consisting of landscape plantings shall be required in side yards in all zoning districts.
(5) 
A minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of all required trees shall be canopy trees as those are identified on Tables 1 and 2 of Subsection (A)(1)(e) of this Section.
b. 
Soil/Planting Material.
(1) 
Soil utilized for the growing medium of plant materials shall be friable, well-drained, local soil, capable of sustaining plant life. Areas which have been compacted by construction activities shall be thoroughly cultivated to the full depth of the compaction. Soil utilized for planting within these areas may be existing soil, provided it is friable, well-drained, free of construction debris, including, but not limited to, scrap wood, trash, chemical/oil spills, excess paving materials, crushed rock, sand, natural site stones greater than one (1) inch, mortar and all other non-soil materials.
(2) 
Organic mulches shall be used to reduce the growth of weeds, add nutrients to the soil and retain moisture over the root zones of plant materials. When appropriate, a minimum of three (3) inches of organic mulch shall be placed beneath all newly installed tree, shrub and ground cover planting areas. At no time shall rock of any size or variety be placed around any existing or newly planted tree located in a public right-of-way.
(3) 
The top four (4) inches of the lawn bed for all areas to be seeded or sodded shall be topsoil. Topsoil shall be brought on-site from a local commercial source.
c. 
Planting Limitations.
(1) 
On a corner lot in any district, development shall conform to the requirements of a sight distance triangle in which nothing shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to materially impede vision between a height of two (2) feet and ten (10) feet above the grades at the back of the curb of the intersecting streets, within the triangular area formed by the right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points forty (40) feet from their point of intersection or at equivalent points on private streets, except that the sight distance triangle may be increased when deemed necessary for traffic safety by the Building Commissioner and Chief of Police.
(2) 
Only medium deciduous trees shall be acceptable for planting in public rights-of-way in all zoning districts where the planting area between the curb or edge of the roadway pavement and the edge of the sidewalk is limited to a width of between four (4) and five (5) feet. In all zoning districts where the planting area between the curb or edge of the roadway pavement and the edge of the sidewalk is greater than five (5) feet, both medium and large deciduous trees shall be acceptable for planting. In instances where deciduous trees of either medium or large size are likely to cause interference with overhead utility wires, understory deciduous trees will be acceptable for planting.
(3) 
No tree shall be planted closer than forty (40) feet of any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs or curblines, or within ten (10) feet of any fire hydrant.
(4) 
Trees shall not be placed where they interfere with site drainage or where they shall require frequent pruning in order to avoid interference with overhead power lines.
d. 
Acceptable Tree Species, Cultivars Or Varieties. In order to protect the City's existing trees from disease and to ensure that the species and varieties of trees which are planted will grow and be healthy, trees planted on existing sites and in conjunction with new developments within all zoning districts and within public rights-of-way shall be of the species, cultivars or varieties listed in the tables in Subsection (A)(1)(e) below (except where specific exceptions are noted in a table). The species, cultivar and/or variety which are listed in Table 4 are not acceptable for planting within the public rights-of-way due to a variety of factors, such as susceptibility to salt damage, potential for providing a traffic visual hazard, susceptibility to disease, potential for growth into right-of-way, etc.
e. 
Undesirable Tree Species, Cultivars Or Varieties. In order to protect the City's existing trees from disease, to ensure that the species and varieties of trees which are planted will grow and be healthy, will be resistant to storms and do not provide other undesirable effects, the trees listed below in Table 5 shall not be planted on existing sites within the "C-1" and "E-1" Zoning Districts in conjunction with new residential developments and within public rights-of-way except upon the approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission in special locations where, because of characteristics of adaptability or landscape effect, they can be used to public advantage and will not create a detriment to adjoining property or the trees thereon.
Table 1: Large-Size Canopy Trees
[Reaching Height of Fifty (50) Feet or More at Maturity]
Botanical Name
Common Name
Acer saccharum
Sugar Maple
Celtis occidentalis
Hackberry
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Green Ash (seedless variety)
Fraxinus Americana
White Ash
Quercus alba
White Oak
Quercus rubra
Red Oak
Tilia americana "Redmond"
"Redmond" Linden
Zelkova serrata
Village Green Japanese Zelkova
Ulmus carpinifolia
"Homestead" and "Pioneer"
Table 2: Medium-Size Canopy Trees
[Reaching Heights of Thirty (30) to Forty-Five (45) Feet at Maturity]
Botanical Name
Common Name
Acer platanoides
Norway Maple
Acer rubrum
Red Maple
Fraxinus americana "Rosehill"
White Ash "Rosehill"
Fraxinus excelsior
European Ash
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo (male sex only)
Nyssa sylvatica
Black gum
Tilia cordata
Littleleaf Linden
Tilia euchlora
Crimean Linden
Tilia tomentosa
Silver Linden
Gleditisia/triacanthos
Thornless Honeylocust
Table 3: Small-Size Understory Trees
[Reaching Heights of Not More Than Thirty (30) Feet at Maturity]
Botanical Name
Common Name
Acer campestre
Hedge Maple (Evelyn)
Acer platanoides globusm
Globe Norway Spruce
Amelanchier grandiflora
Serviceberry
Carpinus betulus
European Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
American Hornbeam
Cereis canadaenis
Red Bud
Crataegus species
Hawthorn
Fraxinus quadrangulata globosa
Globe Blue Ash
Koelreuteria paniculata
Goldenrain Tree
Magnolia
Saucer Magnolia
Morus alba "Kingan"
"Kingan" Fruitless Mulberry
Ostrya virginiana
Hop Hornbeam
Table 4: Evergreen Trees (Not Acceptable for Planting Within Rights-of-Way)
Botanical Name
Common Name
Abies species
Fir
Picea species
Spruce
Pinus species
Pine
Thuja species
Arborvitae
Juniper species
Junipers
Table 5: Undesirable Tree Species, Cultivars or Varieties
Botanical Name
Common Name
Acer negundo
Boxelder
Acer saccharinum
Silver or Soft Maple
Aesculus species
Horse Chestnut
Ailanthus altissima
Tree-of-Heaven
Albizzia species
Mimosa
Catalpa species
Catalpa
Diospyros
Persimmon
Gleditsia tricanthos
Honeylocust (except thornless)
Juglans nigra
Black walnut
Maculura pomifera
Osage Orange
Malus species
Apples
Morus species
Mulberry (all fruit-bearing varieties)
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore (American)
Populus species
Poplars; Cottonwood
Prunus species
Cherry, Plum (all fruit-bearing varieties)
Pyrus species
Pear (all fruit-bearing varieties)
Quercus palustris
Pin Oak
Robinia pseudocacia
Black Locust
Salix species
Willow
Ulmus species
Elms
Liquidar styraciflua
Sweet Gum
2. 
Standards For Landscape Materials On Commercial Property. The following standards shall apply to all property in the "C-1" and "E-1" Zoning Districts:
a. 
Any part of a lot area not used for buildings or other structures or for parking, loading or access ways shall be landscaped with grass, ground cover, trees, shrubs and pedestrian walks in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) 
A planting strip of ten (10) feet (not including sidewalks) shall be provided and maintained within the required front yard and shall separate vehicular parking and drive areas from any public or private street or right-of-way. Where this planting strip fronts to Natural Bridge Road, one (1) canopy tree of a species as determined by the Environmental Commissioner or his/her designee shall be planted within the planting strip area for every fifty (50) feet of frontage to Natural Bridge Road. In complying with this requirement and in order to maintain views into the site, the required number of canopy trees of this variety may be clustered at site corners, entry islands or other appropriate locations along the frontage.
b. 
For all off-street parking areas, the following standards shall apply:
(1) 
There shall be one (1) three-inch-caliper canopy tree existing or planted for every ten (10) parking spaces located within planting islands meeting the standards prescribed herein. Each planting island area shall be a minimum of ninety (90) square feet in area and shall contain at least one (1) deciduous canopy tree of a type and size required herein. There shall be a minimum of two (2) trees within and up to every one hundred (100) linear feet of parking for each parking row. Such trees shall be spaced evenly wherever possible and the ends of parking rows abutting a circulation aisle shall be defined by a planting island wherever feasible. These canopy trees and any associated planting islands areas shall be protected from vehicular encroachment by non-mountable, reinforced concrete curbing of a type specified by the Building Commissioner. The use of unreinforced extruded curbing of asphalt or other materials shall be prohibited.
(2) 
In addition to any landscaped front, back or side yard areas or planting islands required by this Article, for any parking area containing more than five (5) spaces, a minimum of twenty (20) square feet of interior landscaped area shall be provided within the parking lot for each parking space. Landscape areas shall be uniformly distributed in one (1) or more areas so as to minimize and reduce the apparent size of parking areas.
(3) 
Planting islands that are parallel to parking spaces should be a minimum of nine (9) feet wide.
(4) 
Where planting islands are perpendicular to parking spaces, islands should be a minimum of eight (8) feet wide to allow for overhang of parked cars. If parking is only on one (1) side of the island, an eight-foot width is still required.
(5) 
In instances where vehicle parking occurs perpendicular or parallel to parking islands, no landscape plantings other than grass shall be installed within forty-two (42) inches of the back of the curb.
(6) 
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the required canopy trees shall be located within the paved area and the remaining canopy trees shall be located in the front yards, but in any event the number of trees to be provided in the required front yard shall not be less than the equivalent of one (1) tree for every fifty (50) feet of frontage along any public or private street. In complying with the front yard requirement and in order to maintain views into the site, the required number of canopy trees may be clustered at site corners, entry islands or other appropriate locations along the frontage. The canopy trees of the variety specified in Tables 1 and 2 in Subsection (A)(1)(e) above shall be counted in determining compliance with this provision.
(7) 
No landscape hedge, bushes, shrubs or other low-growing plant material, wall or berm shall exceed three (3) feet in height within ten (10) feet of any driveway opening.
c. 
Screening of mechanical equipment, trash and loading areas is required. All mechanical equipment, trash receptacles, storage of materials and equipment shall be within a fully enclosed building or in a side or rear yard so screened by berms, dense vegetative plantings, wooden fences or brick walls or combinations of these materials at least eight (8) feet in height so that said materials and equipment are not visible at the grade of the nearest adjacent street and/or adjoining property lines. Roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall also be screened so that it is not visible from the street or on-site parking areas or adjacent residential properties. Materials used to screen such roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be of a type which is complimentary to the building architecture.
d. 
Where any parcel abuts any residential district or development, a seventy-five-foot perimeter landscape buffer and a solid masonry fence six (6) feet in height shall be provided and maintained along all rear and side property lines where it abuts the residential district or development. The buffer area shall contain evergreen plant material with a minimum height of eight (8) feet planted in such a manner to achieve an effective spacing of six-foot on center. The height of said fence and evergreen plant material may be reduced if used in conjunction with a berm whose height in combination with the fence will achieve the standard specified herein. The berm shall not exceed a slope of thirty degrees (30°) and shall be completely covered with shrubs, grass or other living ground cover in addition to the evergreen plant material specified herein.
e. 
All disturbed soil on the site that is not to be covered by buildings, parking and loading areas and driveways, and which is not subject to other landscape treatment in accord with an approved site plan shall be graded in accord with said site plan and covered with sod.
3. 
In the "C-1" and "E-1" Zoning Districts, in order to present a healthy and visually appealing appearance, landscaped areas shall be provided with adequate irrigation for the maintenance of grass, shrubs, ground cover and other plant materials by utilizing a sprinkler system, hose bibs and/or such other method of providing water.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.220; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
General. The owner or assigns of land shall be responsible for the maintenance of the areas of said land subject to this Article in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly landscape area and healthy trees.
B. 
All required plants shall be maintained in a healthy, pest-free condition. Within six (6) months of a determination by the Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative that a plant is dead or severely damaged or diseased, the plant shall be replaced by the property owner or in accordance with the standards specified in this Code.
C. 
Removal Of Trees Representing Hazards Or Obstructions. It shall be the responsibility of each property owner to remove any trees or shrubs or parts thereof which overhang or interfere with traffic control devices, streetlighting, public sidewalks, rights-of-way or property owned by the City. The Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative shall have the authority to order the pruning or removal of any such trees subject to the provisions herein or other applicable Sections of the Municipal Code.
D. 
Replacement. Any trees removed from properties covered under the provisions of this Article or any other City ordinance and which will render the property non-conforming with the provisions of this Article shall be replaced with trees which are of acceptable type and species and in locations which comply with the provisions of this Article and any previously approved site and landscape plan. Where such replacement involves properties within a "C-1" or "E-1" District, a landscape plan shall be required, shall be prepared in accordance with the provisions of this Article and shall depict the trees to be removed and the type, species and location of replacement trees. Said landscape plan shall be prepared by a professional landscape architect approved by the City.
E. 
Pruning. All pruning should be accomplished according to standard horticultural practices. Trees shall be pruned only as necessary to promote healthy growth. Unless special approval is provided by the Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative, trees shall be allowed to attain their normal size and shall not be severely pruned or "topped" in order to permanently maintain growth at a reduced height. It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm or City Official to top any street tree, park tree, other tree on public property. Trees may be periodically pruned or thinned in order to reduce the leaf mass and thus minimize damage from storms. 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 Subsection at the determination of the Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative. All pruning shall be accomplished in accordance with the National Arborists Standards.
F. 
The stumps of all removed trees shall be ground out to at least three (3) inches below the ground level, the chips removed, the soil cavity filled with soil and the area leveled. If the area where the tree is removed is to be paved, the top of the stump shall be ground out to at least six (6) inches below the ground level.
G. 
Mowing. Grass shall be mown as required in order to encourage deep root growth and therefore the preservation of irrigation water.
H. 
In order to assure the safe and unimpeded progress of fire and street equipment of the City in the performance of its designated functions, all trees, plants and shrubs that are within or adjacent to and overhanging any public street, highway, road or thoroughfare shall be maintained at a minimum height of twelve (12) feet at the center line of the street, highway, road or thoroughfare and ten (10) feet at the curb of said public way when said tree, plant or shrub is fully leafed. The Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative may require the property owner to shape said plant growth as specified above or may cause same to be maintained by the City.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.230; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
The Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative may remove or cause or order to be removed any tree or part thereof on private property which is in an unsafe condition or which by reason of its nature is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines or other public improvements or is afflicted with any injurious fungus, insect or other pest.
B. 
The City shall have the right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees on private property within the City when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property or harbor insects or disease which constitute a potential threat to other trees within the City.
C. 
Procedures Upon Order To Prune Or Remove.
1. 
When the Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative shall find it necessary to order the pruning or removal of trees or plants infected with disease or infested with damaging or disease-carrying insects upon private property as provided for herein, he/she shall serve a written order upon the property owner to correct the condition creating danger or hazard to the public or to City property.
2. 
The order required herein shall be served by at least one (1) of the following methods:
a. 
By personal delivery of the order to the property owner of record;
b. 
By mailing a copy of the order to the address of the owner of the property based on the most recent address on file in the office of the St. Louis County Assessor;
c. 
If the property owner cannot be located for service by the means specified in Subsection (C)(2)(a) and (b) above, then a copy of the order shall be posted on the property or shall be published twice not less than fifteen (15) days between publications in a local newspaper of general circulation.
3. 
The order required herein shall set forth a time limit not earlier than seven (7) days from the date of the order for compliance. In cases of extreme danger to persons or public property, the Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative, upon finding a hazardous condition, shall have the authority to require forthwith compliance immediately upon service of the order.
4. 
The property owner to whom an order thereunder is directed shall have the right within seven (7) days of the service of the order to appeal the order to remove or prune. Said appeal shall be filed with the City Clerk. The Board of Aldermen shall appoint a hearing officer for the appeal. Unless the order is revoked or modified, it shall remain in full force and be obeyed by the property owner to whom directed. No property owner to whom an order is directed shall fail to comply with such order within ten (10) days after an appeal shall have been determined and a copy thereof served on the responsible person or party. Any persons or parties jointly or severally aggrieved by any decision of the hearing officer under this Section may seek a review of such decision by the Circuit Court of St. Louis County.
5. 
When a property owner to whom an order is directed shall fail to comply within the specified period of time, the Building Commissioner or his/her designated representative shall remedy the condition or contract with others for such purpose and charge the cost thereof to the person or party.
6. 
When in the opinion of the Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative there is an actual and imminent danger from a damaged or diseased tree which would endanger life, or when any tree or any part thereof has fallen and life is endangered, the Environmental Commissioner or his/her designated representative is authorized and empowered to take whatever action as may be necessary to render the tree or part thereof temporarily safe, whether or not the notice procedure as previously described in this Section has been instituted.
7. 
The costs incurred in the performance of any procedure required as a result of conditions as outlined in this Section above shall be billed to the owner of the real property where such work is performed. If such bill is not paid within thirty (30) days after forwarding a statement therefor by the City Clerk, the costs shall be levied against the property upon which such work was performed as a special assessment. The levying of the assessment herein shall not affect the liability of the persons or parties where such work was performed. Such special assessment shall be certified by the Environmental Commissioner to the City Clerk and shall thereupon become and be a lien upon the property and shall be included in the next tax bill rendered to the owner thereof unless paid before and shall be collected in the same manner as other taxes against the property.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.240; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
It shall be unlawful to delay or in any manner interfere with any City Official in planting, pruning, spraying or removing any tree, shrub, vine or flowering plant in any public street, boulevard, alley, park or other public place or in the removal of any stone, cement or other material from about the trunk thereof, to interfere with or delay any City Official in the removal of dangerous or diseased trees on private property as provided for herein, or to interfere with any City Official in the discharge of duties provided for in this Article.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.250; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter or who fails to comply with any notice pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall be subject to a fine of not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), by imprisonment for not to exceed ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day during which any violation of the provisions of this Chapter shall occur or continue shall be a separate offense. If, as the result of the violation of any provision of this Chapter, the injury, mutilation or death of a tree, shrub or other plant located on City-owned property is caused, the cost of repair or replacement of such tree, shrub or other plant shall be borne by the persons or parties in violation. The replacement value of trees and shrubs shall be determined in accordance with the latest revision of "A Guide to the Professional Evaluation of Landscape Trees, Specimen Shrubs and Evergreens" as published by the International Society of Arboriculture.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.260; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
A. 
In conjunction with the requirements of other provisions of this Code with respect to site plan review and prior to the issuance of any building permit, a landscape plan shall be submitted to, reviewed by and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. A landscape plan for each lot or parcel involved in the proposed development shall be prepared by and bear the seal of a landscape architect. The landscape plan shall comply with the following requirements and contain the following elements:
1. 
Be drawn to scale, including dimensions and distances;
2. 
Delineate the existing and proposed parking spaces or other vehicular areas, access aisles, driveways and similar features;
3. 
Designate by name and location the plant material to be installed or preserved in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter;
4. 
Identify and describe the location and characteristics of all other landscape materials to be used;
5. 
Show all landscape features, including areas of vegetation to be preserved, in context with the location and outline of existing and proposed buildings and other improvements on the site, if any;
6. 
Include a tabulation clearly displaying the relevant statistical information necessary for the Planning and Zoning Commission to evaluate compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. This includes gross acreage, area of preservation areas, number of trees to be planted or preserved, square footage of paved areas and such other information as the Planning and Zoning Commission may require;
7. 
An irrigation plan indicating the location of sprinklers or water outlets; and
8. 
Contain such other information that may be required by the Planning and Zoning Commission that is reasonable and necessary to determine that the landscape plan meets the requirements of this Article.
[R.O. 1993 § 415.270; Ord. No. 786 § 1, 7-18-2005]
The provisions of this Chapter shall be enforced by the Building Commissioner and/or the Chief of Police.