[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Columbia as Ch. 12.28 of the 1997 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It is unlawful to plant any tree or shrub in any public street or parkway or other public place without having first secured a permit therefor. Applications for such permits shall be made to the City Clerk, and shall be referred by him to the Mayor and City Council.
It is unlawful to remove or cut down any tree or shrub in any street, parkway or other public place without having first secured a permit therefor. Applications for such permits shall be made to the City Clerk, and shall be referred by him to the Mayor and City Council for approval before permission shall be granted.
It is unlawful to injure any tree or shrub planted in any such public place.
It is unlawful to attach any sign, advertisement or notice to any tree or shrub in any street, parkway or other public place.
A. 
Any tree or shrub which overhangs any sidewalk, street or other public place in the City in such a way as to impede or interfere with traffic or travel on such public place shall be trimmed by the owner of the abutting premises on which such trees or shrubs grow so that the obstruction shall cease.
B. 
Any limb of a tree which has become likely to fall on or across any public way or place shall be removed by the owner of the premises on which such trees or shrubs grow or stand.
A. 
It is unlawful to attach any wire or other rope to any tree without permission of the Mayor and City Council.
B. 
Any person or company given the right to maintain poles and wires in the streets, alleys or other public places in the City shall, in the absence of provision in the franchise concerning the subject, keep such wires and poles free from and away from any trees or shrubs in such places so far as may be possible and shall keep all such trees and shrubs properly trimmed and subject to the supervision of the Director of Public Works or his/her designee, so that no injury shall be done to the poles or wires or shrubs and trees by contact.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person, firm or corporation maintaining any gas pipe in the City shall, in the absence of provision in the franchise concerning the subject, keep such pipes free from leaks.
In making excavations in streets or other public places, proper care shall be taken to avoid injury to the roots of any tree or shrub, wherever possible.
[Amended 4-20-2015 by Ord. No. 3180]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $750 for each offense; and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.