13.12.110 Protection of trees.
A. It is unlawful for any person to “top” any public tree. Topping is the cutting of the branches and/or trunk of a tree in a manner that will substantially reduce the overall size of the tree’s crown (more than 20% in a calendar year) so as to destroy the existing symmetrical appearance or natural shape of the tree and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes, or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical, may be exempted in writing by the City Engineer.
B. It is unlawful for any person to:
1. Fasten a carriage, animal, bike, motor vehicle of any kind to any shade tree, shrub, tree guard or tree support.
2. Authorize of procure any gas, hot water, brine, oil, herbicide, pesticide, chemicals, dye, or other substance detrimental to tree life to lay, pour, flow, leak, or drip into the soil about the base of a tree in any public highway, street, avenue, or public place.
3. Allow a tree on public right-of-way to be injured or removed during the erection, repair, removal or alteration of any building or structure.
4. Build or kindle a fire near any tree or any public right-of-way, as to endanger the trunk, limb, or foliage of such shade tree.
5. Attach any advertisements to any tree or shrub in any street, highway, avenue or public right-of-way.
6. Lay any pavement within three (3) feet of the base of the trunk of any tree on public right-of-way or deposit any stone, gravel, cement, lumber, or other material in such a way as to obstruct the free access of air and water to the roots of any tree in such right of way.
7. Attach or keep attached to any public tree any ropes, wires, chains, or other device whatsoever, except that the same may be attached to any tree as support or protection thereof. This prohibition shall not apply to the seasonal attachment of holiday lights.
8. During the erection, repair, alteration or removal of any building, sidewalk, or structure, it is unlawful for the person in charge of such erection, repair, alteration or removal to leave any public tree in the vicinity of such building or structure without a good and sufficient guard or protector as to prevent injury to such tree or its roots arising out of, or by reason of such erection, repair, alteration or removal.
9. It is unlawful for any person to abuse, destroy or mutilate any public tree.
10. IT is unlawful for any person to perform any minor tree work on any public tree without a permit.