§ 16.40.060.5.3. Tree removal and trimming permits for Grand, Protected and Signature trees.

A.

A permit is required for the removal of any Grand, Protected or Signature tree.

B.

A permit is required for the removal of any native palm which has four feet or more of clear trunk as measured from the base of the lowest green frond to the ground.

C.

A permit is required to trim any branch eight inches or greater in diameter of any Grand tree as measured at the branch collar.

D.

The applicant shall submit to the POD an application in such form as required by the POD and pay the fee established by City Council. All fees and other monies received as a result of this section shall be paid to the City's environmental enhancement fund.

E.

If a tree has been removed from a property without the issuance of a required tree removal permit, no development permits shall be issued until a tree restoration plan has been submitted to and approved by the POD. A tree restoration plan shall specify the type, specification and location of trees to be planted on the property.

F.

For one- and two-unit residential properties, for each tree removed which makes the property under the minimum required tree standard, one shade tree shall be planted on the property from which the tree was removed. If it is not reasonably possible to comply with the planting requirements of this section, the POD may approve a payment in lieu of planting which shall be utilized to provide additional landscaping on public property or right-of-way. Such payment in lieu shall be $500.00 per tree and shall be placed in the environmental enhancement fund.

G.

In emergencies such as hurricane, windstorm, flood, freeze or other disaster, the requirements of these regulations may be waived by the POD upon a finding that such waiver is necessary so that public or private work to restore order in the City will not be impeded.

H.

A tree removal permit is not required to remove unprotected or prohibited trees.

(Code 1992, § 16.40.150.2.1; Ord. No. 882-G, § 1, 8-10-2008; Ord. No. 893-G, § 40, 9-4-2008; Ord. No. 149-H, § 1, 12-18-2014; Ord. No. 195-H, § 2, 9-17-2015)

Note— See the editor's note to § 16.40.060.5.1.