Ordinances-2017-394 - Zoning Code Amendment - Section 16

1. No person shall damage, move, remove, or otherwise injure or vandalize any trees or plant materials located within public places. 2. Trees and plant materials near any excavation or construction of any building or structure shall be adequately protected as determined by the city. E. Nuisances: 1. Generally: Any tree or plant material so placed as to substantially interfere with pedestrian traffic is a public nuisance. 2. Cotton Bearing Trees: cotton bearing cottonwood trees and all other cotton bearing poplar trees are deemed a public nuisance as provided by the code of Iowa, as amended. F. Trimming Trees and Plant Materials: Trees or plant materials on public or private property abutting on any street or public place shall be trimmed to a sufficient height to allow free passage of pedestrian and vehicular travel as required by standards established by the city. G. Public utility installations: Work performed by a public utility company under a permit issued under 16.09(J) to treat trim or remove trees or plant materials on or within a public place shall be performed in accordance with the standards set by the city. The city may assign an inspector to supervise the provisions of the permit and the cost of such service shall be charged to the public utility. H. Improper planting of trees and plant materials. Whenever any tree or plant materials shall be planted within a public place contrary to standards established by the city, the city may require its removal or replanting. Failure to so remove or replant may result in the city’s removing with costs to be assessed against the abutting property owner, after written notice in the same manner as a property tax as provided in chapter 364, code of Iowa as amended. I. Arboricultural Specifications and standards of practice The city staff is hereby authorized to establish specific standards governing the planting, selection of species, support, treatment of root systems, trimming, spraying, removal, filling of cavities and bracing for all trees and plant materials in, on or within public places. J. Permits for Work on Public Places 1. Permit required. No person except the city or a person hired by the city shall treat, plant, trim, remove or otherwise disturb any tree or plant material on any street or public place without first obtaining a permit from the city.