Colfax Municipal Code Art. I General Provisions— Permitted Species

No tree or shrub shall be planted in or removed from any public parking strip or other public place in the city without permission from the director of public works.

(Prior code § 7-2.01)

The following trees are approved for planting in public parking strips and other public places subject to permission from the director of public works:

A. Crataegus Lavallei (Lavalle Hawthorn);

B. Betula Pendula (Alba) (European White-bark Birch);

C. Acer Platanoides Schwedleri (Schwedler Maple);

D. Morus "Stribling" or "Kingans" (Fruitless Mulberry);

E. Fraxinus Velutina Glabra (Modesto Ash);

F. Liriodendron Tulipifera (Tulip Tree);

G. Crataegus Oxyacantha Paulii (Paul's Double Flowering English Hawthorn);

H. Ginkgo Biloba (Maidenhair Tree) (male only);

I. Koelreuteria Paniculata (Goldenrain Tree);

J. Pistacia Chinensi (Chinese Pistachio);

K. Zelkova Serrata (Sawleaf Zelkova);

L. Acer Palmatum (Japanese Maple);

M. Crataegus "Autumn Glory" (Autumn Glory Hawthorn);

N. Lagerstroemia Indica (Crape-Myrtle); and

O. Prunus Pissardii (Purple-leaf Plum).

(Prior code § 7-2.02)

A. It is unlawful to plant the following trees in any public parking strip or other public place:

1. Acacia;

2. Black Walnut;

3. Eucalyptus;

4. Elm (American and other large species);

5. Palm;

6. Poplar;

7. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus);

8. Conifers, except such as shall be approved by the director of public works;

9. Oriental Plane; and

10. Willow.

B. It is unlawful to plant willow, cottonwood or poplar trees anywhere in the city, unless the director of public works approves the site as one where the tree roots will not interfere with a public sewer.

(Prior code § 7-2.03)

A. The director of public works or his or her duly authorized representative, may cause to be trimmed, pruned or removed any tree, shrub, plant or vegetation in any parking strip or other public place or may require any property owner to trim, prune or remove any tree, shrub, plant or vegetation in a parking strip abutting upon such owner's property. The failure of the property owner to trim, prune or remove any such tree, shrub, plant or vegetation after thirty (30) days notice by the city clerk shall be deemed a violation of the provisions of this chapter.

B. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed as limiting the right of any public utility to remove or trim trees which, in its opinion, endanger the safe operation of its wires, poles and appurtenances.

(Prior code § 7-2.04)

It is a violation of the provisions of this chapter to:

A. Abuse, destroy or mutilate any tree, shrub or plant in a public parking strip or other public place;

B. Attach or place a rope or wire (other than one used to support a young or broken tree), sign, poster, handbill or other thing to or on any tree growing in a public place;

C. Cause or permit any wire charged with electricity to be attached to such tree; or

D. Allow any gaseous, liquid or solid substance which is harmful to such tree to come in contact with its roots or leaves.

(Prior code § 7-2.05)

Any weeds, rubbish, accumulation of materials, refuse, garbage or dirt, growing, standing or lying, on or around any public or private property, which is declared a fire or health hazard by the fire marshal of the city, must be removed or abated within fifteen (15) days of receipt of notice to the owner of the property. On or after the sixteenth day from receipt of notice, the city may remove or abate the fire or health hazard from the property at the owner's expense. The cost of removal or abatement shall be a lien against the property upon which the fire or health hazard was maintained. Should the fire marshal determine that any of the above fire or health hazards constitute an immediate threat to the public or to any private or public building, then the owner of same shall have forty-eight (48) hours to undertake abatement or the city may proceed with abatement as outlined above.

(Ord. 426 § 1, 1994: Prior code § 7-2.06)

Appeals from orders made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may be made by filing a written notice with the city clerk within ten (10) days after such order is received, stating in substance that an appeal is being made for such order to the council. The city clerk shall thereupon set such appeal for a hearing at a regular meeting of the council and shall notify the appellant of such hearing at least five days before the date for which such hearing is set.

(Prior code § 7-2.07)