Chico Municipal Code Art. IV Additional Regulations

Notwithstanding provisions in this chapter to the contrary, whenever the cost of any work to be performed by the city is to be paid for by a property owner, the finance director may require the property owner to deposit with the city the amount of the estimated cost of such work prior to its performance. If the actual cost of such work exceeds the deposit, the difference shall be collected as hereinabove provided. If the deposit exceeds the actual cost of such work, the difference shall be refunded to the property owner. No interest shall be payable on any such refund.

(Prior code § 23.55 (Ord. 852 §27, Ord. 2113 §1))

The director, and the city manager shall each, independently, have the authority to remove a tree or shrub, without the authorization or direction of either the commission or the council, and regardless of the issuance or nonissuance of a permit, if any of such three persons determines that the immediate removal of such tree or shrub is necessary for the maintenance of public safety. In making this determination, such officer shall consider all other means available to maintain public safety. Such officer shall incur no civil or criminal liability as a result of any determination such officer makes hereunder regardless of the correctness thereof.

Such officer shall report to the commission upon any removal made pursuant to this section at its next regular meeting following such removal. The report may be submitted in writing without the appearance of such officer unless the commission otherwise requests.

(Prior code § 23.56 (Ord. 852 §28, Ord. 2268, Ord. 2364 §170))

Conviction and punishment of any person under the terms of this chapter shall not exempt or excuse such person from the payment of a charge or a debt against such person created pursuant to the provisions of Sections 14.40.180 and 14.40.190.

(Prior code § 23.57 (Ord. 852 §29))

Any tree or shrub growing or standing in the public area fronting private property which, in the opinion of the commission, creates a dangerous or defective condition or endangers the security or usefulness of any public street, sewer or sidewalk is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

(Prior code § 23.58 (Ord. 560 §10))

It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to permit branches of trees or shrubs growing or being on private property to extend within ten feet from the ground over any portion of the sidewalk or street.

(Prior code § 23.59 (Ord. 224 §211))

The director shall propagate, plant, replant, remove, prune, care for, and maintain the trees and shrubbery on the streets, along the sidewalks and in the parking areas of the city, except as in this chapter such duty is imposed on a property owner. The director shall report to the commission from time to time regarding work done pursuant to this section. Such work shall, at all times, be subject to the control and direction of the commission.

(Prior code § 23.59-1 (Ord. 852 §30, Ord. 2268, Ord. 2364 §171))

No person shall damage, cut, carve upon, transplant or remove any tree or plant, or injure the bark or pick the flowers or seeds of any tree or plant; nor shall any person attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant; nor climb any tree; nor walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railings, fences or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes. A person shall not dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.

(Prior code §23.60 (Ord. 224 §213, Ord. 355 §213, Ord. 560 §11), Ord. 2479 §17)

A. Except as otherwise provided in Section 14.40.325(B), any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter of this code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor or an infraction and may be enforced by the filing of a criminal action by the city attorney or the issuance of an administrative citation in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1.15 of this code.

B. Notwithstanding Section 14.40.325(A), a violation of Section 14.40.320 shall be a misdemeanor and may be enforced by the filing of a criminal action by the city attorney or the issuance of an administrative citation in accordance with Chapter 1.15 of this code.

(Ord. 2479 §§16, 18)