Tree Trimming Ordinances

Tree  Trimming Ordinances

 151.02 Responsibility of Property Owner

The adjoining property owner shall be liable and responsible for the proper care, maintenance, pruning and trimming of such trees, including fallen branches, so as  to prevent interference with visibility and physical obstruction of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, utility service lines, street signs and traffic control devices.  Tree trimming contractors operating within the City shall carry adequate insurance to cover losses to public and private property, which may be incurred by negligent operations.

151.03 Tree Trimming 

All trees shall be trimmed to a minimum height of 15 feet, six inches above the traveled roadway and to a minimum height of eight feed above a sidewalk.  Additional height restrictions may be imposed by the City where necessary to insure adequate visibility in specific situations.

151.04 TOPPING PROHIBITED

Topping, also referred to as heading, stubbing, rounding, tipping, dehorning or the drastic removal of large branches, is defined as a severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree’s crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree.  It is unlawful as a normal practice for any person or firm to top any street tree, park tree or other tree on City property.  Proper early training, selective branch thinning or entire tree removal are acceptable tree maintenance alternatives to topping.  Allowable natural shape branch thinning technique include drop-crotch, under pruning, side pruning and through pruning.