It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, prune, or severely prune or alter any street tree within the City, without a permit from the City. This prohibition does not extend to the regular maintenance required under TMC 7-7-206.
(Ord. 959-CS, Amended, 11/28/2000; 1265-CS, Amended, 01/09/2020)
Any person desiring to remove, prune, severely prune, or otherwise alter a street tree shall file an application for a permit with the Director or his or her designee. Such application shall be provided by the Director or his or her designee and may contain such information deemed necessary by the Director or his or her designee to insure compliance with the spirit and intent of this chapter.
Applications for permits shall be signed by the property owner.
(Ord. 959-CS, Amended, 11/28/2000; 1265-CS, Amended, 01/09/2020)
The Director or his or her designee shall stipulate a time by which all work shall be performed, not to exceed sixty (60) days after the date of the issuance of the permit, and may require the posting of cash or other surety in an amount equal to the cost of the work to insure the faithful completion of the work specified and the cleanup of debris within the time stipulated for performance.
(1265-CS, Amended, 01/09/2020)
(a) 
Upon the receipt of an application to remove a street tree, the Director or his or her designee shall determine whether or not such tree should be removed.
(b) 
The Director or his or her designee may issue a permit to remove or conditionally remove a street tree when one (1) or more of the following conditions apply to the tree:
The tree is:
(1) 
Dying or dead;
(2) 
Decayed, rotted, or otherwise hazardous to the public;
(3) 
Diseased beyond reclamation;
(4) 
Damaging public improvements, such as curbs, gutters, sidewalks, or other utilities;
(5) 
Required to be removed due to building moving from the lot or parcel provided it is not practical or reasonable to save the tree; all work and costs will be provided by the owner;
(6) 
Required to be removed for new construction and the Director or his or her designee believes better and more suitable planting will result provided there is no practical or reasonable means to save the tree; all work and costs will be provided by the owner; or
(7) 
Located so that thinning is desired to improve spacing or conformity.
(c) 
The Director or his or her designee, as a condition of the removal of a tree, whenever possible shall require the planting of either a theme tree or a tree from the Street Tree List in a location along the property frontage in keeping with the Street Tree Plan.
(1265-CS, Amended, 01/09/2020)
(a) 
Upon the receipt of an application to prune or severely cut a street tree, the Director or his or her designee shall determine whether or not the tree should be pruned or otherwise severely cut.
(b) 
The Director or his or her designee may issue a permit to prune or severely cut a street tree when limb reduction or severe cutting is required either to:
(1) 
Maintain pedestrian or traffic clearance and visibility;
(2) 
Maintain tree health;
(3) 
Maintain continuity with prior pruning practices; or
(4) 
Remove a building from the parcel.
(Ord. 959-CS, Amended, 11/28/2000; 1265-CS, Amended, 01/09/2020)
A permit shall not be required when an immediate threat to the public health and safety exists due to an accidental occurrence or act of God and, in the opinion of the Director or his or her designee, the removal, pruning, or cutting is required.
(1265-CS, Amended, 01/09/2020)