Programmatic permits may be issued by the Urban Forester for routine public facility or utility operation, planned repair and replacement, and on-going maintenance programs on street trees, public trees, and private trees. The purpose of a programmatic permit is to eliminate the need for individual permits for tree removal, pruning, or for ongoing activities that cover a wide geographic area and may include the pruning or removal of numerous street trees, public trees, and private trees. Programmatic permits are evaluated to prevent cumulative adverse impacts to the urban forest and ensure that any permitted activities meet the goals and objectives of the Urban Forest Management Plan.
A.
Applicability
Programmatic permits may only be issued to a public agency or a utility as defined in this chapter.
B.
Application Requirements
Applications for programmatic permits must be submitted in writing or electronically on forms provided by the City and be accompanied by the correct fee.
C.
Permit
Approved permits must include the following required information. The Urban Forester may modify the permit at any time to respond to any questions, changes in regulations, or previously unforeseen issues, provided the applicant is notified in writing.
1.
Duration. The Urban Forester may approve a programmatic permit for a period of up to two years;
2.
Geographic area covered by the permit;
3.
Permitted activities and any restrictions on the method, number, type, location, or timing of activities;
4.
Procedures and thresholds for providing notice to residents, businesses, and the City impacted by the performance of work under the permit;
5.
Monitoring, performance tracking, and reporting requirements. The Urban Forester may prescribe rules or procedures that specify the manner in which such tracking and reporting occur; and
6.
Traffic control requirements.
7.
Annual Report
On the anniversary of permit issuance, the applicant must submit an annual report on a form supplied by the City detailing any work performed under the permit and any work scheduled to be performed.
8.
Tree Size Limits
a.
The programmatic permit will not allow the removal of trees six-inch or more in diameter at breast height, except as provided in this section.
b.
If an applicant requests removal of a healthy tree six-inch or more in diameter at breast height at time of application or during the period in which the programmatic permit is in effect, an opportunity for public comment will be provided in accordance with Subsection 16.32.026B.2.
c.
For any request, the Urban Forester may further limit allowed tree removal in order to meet the review criteria in Subsection 16.32.026C.
9.
Tree Work
All work performed under a programmatic permit must be performed in accordance with ISA Best Management Practices.
D.
Completeness
1.
If the Urban Forester determines an application is incomplete, the Urban Forester will provide written notice to the applicant that describes the additional information needed.
2.
The applicant must submit the additional information within 30 days from the date of the notice unless extended in writing by the Urban Forester.
3.
If the applicant does not furnish the additional information within 30 days from the date of the notice or any extension granted in writing by the Urban Forester, the application will be denied.
E.
Notice of Complete Application
When the Urban Forester determines that the application is complete, the Urban Forester must provide written notice that the application is complete to the applicant and the Tree Board. The notice must provide instructions for how to obtain additional information about the application, comment on the application, and request notification of the Urban Forester's decision.
F.
Review Criteria
The Urban Forester may approve a programmatic permit upon a determination that the following criteria are satisfied or will be satisfied with conditions:
1.
The proposed activity will result in a net gain to the urban forest functions and benefits described in the purpose statement in Subsection 16.32.005 considering the applicant's proposed performance measures, proposed tree planting, and other activities proposed to improve the overall health of the urban forest.
2.
The applicant's proposed outreach and notification program provides adequate notice to residents, businesses, and the City prior to performing work authorized under the programmatic permit.
G.
Decision
The Urban Forester must issue the permit, issue the permit with conditions of approval, or deny the permit within 120 days of determining the application is complete. The Urban Forester's decision will be final and, if approved, the permit will be valid for a period of up to two years. An applicant may request an amendment to an unexpired permit if the conditions and circumstances have changed. The Urban Forester's decision will be based on an evaluation of the application against the applicable review criteria in Subsection 16.32.026C.
H.
Revocation
The Urban Forester may revoke a programmatic permit upon a determination that the applicant is not adhering to the terms of the permit or is acting beyond the activities authorized by permit.
(Ord. 2247, 1/21/2025; Ord. 2263, 4/21/2026)