When used in this article, the following words shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:
"Director"
means the director of the department of public works and authorized representatives.
"Owner"
means and includes the legal owner of real property fronting on any highway of the county, and any lessee of such owner.
"Person"
means and includes an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a copartnership, and the lessees, trustees, receivers, agents, servants, and employees of any such person.
"Public highways or highways"
means and includes all roads, streets, avenues, boulevards, alleys, parkways, and public rights-of-way, or any portion thereof, of the county.
"Road commissioner" or "commissioner"
means the road commissioner of the county. If the context so indicates, it shall also include the director of public works.
(Prior code § 16.120)
It is for the best interest of the county, and of the citizens and public thereof that a comprehensive plan for the planting and maintenance of trees in public highways within the county should be developed and established; and that the ordinance codified in this article is adopted, therefore, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations relating to the planting, care and maintenance of such trees.
(Prior code § 16.125)
The director of public works, or duly authorized representative, shall be charged with the enforcement of this article.
Note: As to trees generally, see Article 12.20 of this code.
(Prior code § 16.130)
The director of public works is charged with the duty of promptly determining the types and species of trees suitable and desirable for planting and the areas in which and conditions under which such trees shall be planted in the public highways within the county. Such determination shall be made by the director of public works who may consult with competent arborists and nurserymen familiar with the subject of such plantings. When such determination has been made the director of public works shall report the findings in writing to the county board of supervisors. When approved by the board of supervisors, such report shall be known as the master tree list, shall be placed on file in the office of the county clerk and shall thereafter be the official determination of the commissioner. Revisions or changes in the master tree list may be made from time to time by the director of public works, in the manner described hereinabove for the development, approval and filing of the original master tree list.
All trees hereafter planted in the public highways of the county must be on the master tree list, unless a written permit from the director of public works shall have first been obtained to plant a tree not on such list. Such permit may be granted by the director only upon his obtaining approval therefor from the board of supervisors.
(Prior code § 16.135)
The director of public works shall have jurisdiction and control of the planting, setting out, location and placement of all trees in the public highways of the county, and shall likewise have supervision, direction and control of the care, trimming, removal, relocation and replacement thereof.
(Prior code § 16.140)
Some types of trees, upon maturing, instead of becoming assets to the community, become liabilities due to structural weaknesses, disease or insect susceptibility, short life, destructive root systems, and rank growing branches requiring excessive maintenance. Due to one or more of these characteristics, it is unlawful to plant the following trees in any public highway:
A. 
Acacia (most species);
B. 
Black Walnut;
C. 
Eucalyptus (most species);
D. 
Elm (American, other large species);
E. 
Palm (most species);
F. 
Poplar;
G. 
Tree of Heaven;
H. 
Conifers (most species).
(Prior code § 16.145)
It is unlawful and it is prohibited for any person other than the director or duly authorized agent or deputy to cut, trim, prune, spray, brace, plant, move, remove, or replace any tree in any public highway within the county, or to cause the same to be done, unless and until a written permit to do so shall have first been obtained from the director, except as specified in Section 12.14.080. Any such permit may be declared void by the director if its terms are violated.
(Prior code § 16.150)
Any person doing business as a public utility subject to the jurisdiction of the public utilities commission of the state may obtain a permit from the director valid for one year from the date of issuance, permitting such person to trim, brace, remove, or perform such other acts with respect to trees growing upon the public highways of the county, or which grow upon private property to the extent that they encroach upon such public highways as may be necessary to comply with the safety regulations of such commission and as may be necessary to maintain the safe operation of its business.
(Prior code § 16.155)
No person other than an owner or public utility may do any act for which a permit is required under Section 12.14.070, except a person whose principal business is tree surgery, trimming or maintenance and who, in the opinion of the director, is qualified for such business, and who has obtained a permit to carry on such business in the county from the director. Permits issued pursuant to this section may be granted for a period of one year from the date of issuance.
(Prior code § 16.160)
It is unlawful for any person to break, injure, deface, mutilate, kill or destroy any tree or set fire or permit any fire to burn where such fire or the heat thereof will injure any portion of any tree in any public highway in the county, nor shall any person place, apply, attach or keep attached to any such tree or to the guard or stake intended for the protection thereof, any wire, rope, sign, paint or any other substance, structure, thing or device of any kind or nature whatsoever, without having first obtained a written permit from the director to do so.
(Prior code § 16.165)
Any person aggrieved by any act or determination of the director in the exercise of the authority herein granted shall have the right of appeal to the board of supervisors of the county, whose decision, after public hearing of such matter, shall be final and conclusive.
(Prior code § 16.170)