12.24.090 Permit required for pruning, spraying, removal or planting trees in public places.
A. Scope of Requirements. No person except authorized municipal staff or crew of a regulated public service company or their authorized representatives may perform any of the following acts without first obtaining a permit from the urban forester for which no fee shall be charged:
1. Plant on city-owned property or public right-of-way, or treat, prune, remove or otherwise disturb any tree or shrub located on city-owned property or public right-of-way, except that this provision shall not be construed to prohibit owners of property adjacent to city-owned property or public right-of-way from watering or fertilizing without a permit any tree, shrub, or other plants located on such city-owned property or public right-of-way; or
2. Damage, cut, tap, top, carve, or transplant any tree or shrub located on city-owned property or public right-of-way. The Utah Shade Tree Pruning Standards book published by the Utah Community Forest Council and the American National Standard for Tree Care Operations (ANSI A300) shall be adhered to for pruning and maintaining trees.
B. Issuance. Within seven days of receipt of a permit application, the urban forester shall issue a permit to perform (within thirty days of the date of issuance) any of the acts specified of this section for which a permit is required whenever:
1. Such acts would result in the abatement of a public nuisance;
2. Such acts are not inconsistent with city pruning and safety standards;
3. An application has been signed by the applicant and submitted to the urban forester detailing the location, number, size and species of trees, shrubs, or other plants that will be affected by such acts, setting forth the purpose of such acts and the methods to be used, and presenting any additional information that the urban forester may find reasonably necessary; or
4. The applicant agrees to perform the work for which the permit is sought in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
C. Public Utility Companies. Public utility companies shall notify the urban forester prior to pruning any tree located on city-owned property for the purpose of maintaining safe line clearance and shall carry out such work in accordance with accepted arboricultural standards. (Ord. 08-17 (part), 2008)