Chapter 13.08
PLANTING*

Sections:

13.08.010    Jurisdiction and Authority.

13.08.020    Official Tree List.

13.08.030    Removal or Relocation of Plants by City.

13.08.040    Tampering with Planting Prohibited.

13.08.050    Prohibited Activities.

13.08.060    Owners of Premises Required to Trim Branches and Maintain Adjacent Parkway.

*    Street trees for subdivisions—See Chapter 19.24.

13.08.010 Jurisdiction and Authority.

Subject to the administrative control established by the City Charter, any applicable City Council policy, and the provisions of this chapter, the Public Works Department shall exercise jurisdiction and control over the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, and plants in all public areas under the control of the City, and shall have the authority and duties prescribed in this chapter. (Ord. 2023-22 § 609, 2023; Ord. 2013-11 § 67, 2013: Ord. 93-26 § 3 (part), 1993: Ord. 1634 § 1 (part), 1975: Ord. 1015 (part), 1962: 1949 Code § 7300)

13.08.020 Official Tree List.

The City Council shall adopt an official tree list which shall set out the names of the streets in the City and the species of tree or trees that may be planted on each such street or portion thereof. The list shall be adopted by resolution and provided to the public by the Public Works Department upon request. (Ord. 2023-22 § 610, 2023; Ord. 2013-11 § 68, 2013: Ord. 93-26 § 3 (part), 1993: Ord. 1634 § 1 (part), 1975: Ord. 1015 (part), 1962: 1949 Code § 7302)

13.08.030 Removal or Relocation of Plants by City.

The City may relocate or remove any tree, shrub, plant, structure or surfacing material in any public street right-of-way as determined by the City Council to be necessary or convenient for public travel or in the interest of public health, safety or general welfare. (Ord. 1634 § 1 (part), 1975: Ord. 1015 (part), 1962: 1949 Code § 7303)

13.08.040 Tampering with Planting Prohibited.

No person shall trim, cut down, damage, remove, or destroy any tree growing upon any public park, beach or playground, or the grounds of any public building, or a public street right-of-way, without written permission of the City Manager. No person shall damage, disfigure, or destroy any seat, trellis, or other facility located thereon.

No person shall cut, damage, remove or destroy any shrub, plant or flower growing in any public park, beach or playground, or the grounds of any public building, or on any street right-of-way except in the parkway adjoining the property of which such person is the occupant or owner. (Ord. 1634 § 1 (part) 1975: Ord. 1015 (part), 1962: 1949 Code § 7304)

13.08.050 Prohibited Activities.

A.    Placing Rope, Wire, Posters, Etc. No person shall place or affix any rope, wire, sign, poster, or other object on any tree, or plant, or upon any guard device protecting same, located upon the public street right-of-way or upon other public property.

B.    Depositing Detrimental Substance. No person shall deposit or throw upon any public street right-of-way or other public property any substance detrimental to the growth of any tree, shrub, or plant.

C.    Removing Guard or Protective Device. No person shall remove or damage any guard or device placed to protect any tree, shrub, or plant growing in any public street right-of-way or upon other public property.

D.    Attaching Electrical Apparatus. No person shall attach any electric wires or any device for holding electric wires to any tree, plant or shrub growing in any public street right-of-way or other public property under the control of the City without approval of the City Council. No person shall, without written permission from the Deputy Public Works Director—Municipal Operations, trim, cut or break any part of such tree, shrub, or plant to make passage for electric wires. (Ord. 2023-22 § 611, 2023; Ord. 2013-11 § 69, 2013; Ord. 93-26 § 3 (part), 1993: Ord. 1634 § 1 (part), 1975: Ord. 1015 (part), 1962: 1949 Code § 7305)

13.08.060 Owners of Premises Required to Trim Branches and Maintain Adjacent Parkway.

The occupant in charge or, if there is no such occupant, the owner of every lot or parcel of land shall:

A.    Maintain the area between their property line and the curb of the street including, but not limited to, all landscaping, plants and grass in the parkway; and

B.    Trim the branches of any tree, shrub, or plant on the property and all shrubs and plants in the area between their property line and curb of the street, so that same shall not encroach upon the sidewalk or street in such manner as to impede or interfere with traffic thereon or obstruct the passage of light from any streetlight to the street or sidewalk.

The City shall trim and prune all trees located in the public street right-of-way. (Ord. 2023-22 § 612, 2023; Ord. 1634 § 1 (part), 1975: Ord. 1015 (part), 1962: 1949 Code § 7306)