El Dorado County Municipal Code Ch. 9.24 Christmas Tree Theft Prevention

This chapter shall be known and may be referred to in all proceedings as the County Christmas Tree Ordinance.

(Prior Code, § 7311; Code 1997, § 9.24.010; Ord. No. 3165, § 3(part), 1981)

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall be construed to have the following meanings, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Christmas tree or tree means any evergreen tree or top thereof which is harvested without having the limbs or foliage removed.

Harvest means to remove or cut and remove from the place where grown.

Harvester means a person who harvests a tree.

Person includes an employee with wages as his or her sole compensation.

(Prior Code, § 7312; Code 1997, § 9.24.020; Ord. No. 3503, § 1, 1984; Ord. No. 3165, § 3(part), 1981)

A. Persons purchasing trees or otherwise having possession of trees from harvesters thereof or harvesters of trees shall not transport five or less trees on the public roads or highways in the County without obtaining from the seller or owner of the trees and having in their possession a written permit or bill of sale containing the following information:

1. The number and species of trees to be transported;

2. The name or names of the owner of the real property from which the trees are removed and the date and signature of the owner or owner's authorized agent and, if different from the date of signature, the date the trees are to be transported;

3. A legal description, street address or other description of the location of the land from which the trees are removed;

4. The license number and description of the vehicle upon which the trees are being transported;

5. The name and address and destination of the person transporting the trees.

B. No person shall knowingly make any false statement on any permit or bill of sale prepared pursuant to this section.

(Code 1997, § 9.24.030; Ord. No. 3503, § 3, 1984)

A. The Sheriff or any peace officer shall have full power to enforce this chapter and to confiscate any and all trees being transported without written permit or bill of sale from the owner or the owner's authorized agent.

B. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished according to the general penalties described in Chapter 1.24.

(Prior Code, § 7314; Code 1997, § 9.24.040; Ord. No. 3165, § 3(part), 1981; Ord. No. 3503, § 4, 1984)