Elk Grove Municipal Code Art. V Development Control Measures

The approving authority may mandate any or all of the following control measures to mitigate damage to trees protected through new development project approval:

A. A circle with a radius measurement from the trunk of the tree to the tip of its longest limb plus one (1' 0") foot shall constitute the critical root zone of all trees to be retained and all portions of off-site tree driplines that extend into the site, and shall not be cut back in order to change the dripline. Removing limbs which make up the driplines does not change the protected zones.

B. Chain link or City-approved barrier shall be installed one (1' 0") foot outside the critical root zone of the on-site tree(s) to be retained and all portions of off-site tree(s) driplines that extends onto the site, prior to initiating project construction, in order to avoid damage to the trees and their root systems. The barrier around a tree’s critical root zone may be moved to allow building construction when such encroachment has been previously authorized. The new barrier locations shall be four (4' 0") feet outside the structure wall and/or driveway location. Orange plastic netting is not a permitted barrier type.

C. All driveways which pass through the critical root zone of the on-site trees to be retained and all portions of off-site tree driplines which extend on the site shall be constructed such that the entire driveway section is placed directly above existing grade. No excavation or scarification for driveway construction shall be allowed within the critical root zone except as approved by the City Arborist.

D. Any pruning of retained trees shall be supervised by a certified arborist and shall be completed to the most current ISA standards (“Tree Pruning Guidelines”) and ANSI A300 standards. Branch and limb pruning shall be limited to that which has been deemed necessary in order to correct a safety hazard, structural defect, crown cleaning, or arborist recommended pruning in the tree. Pruning due to canopy encroachment by buildings shall be limited to the minimum amount needed to safely accommodate the structure while still maintaining the tree.

E. All trees on site shall be pruned, as per City Arborist recommendations, prior to starting any site improvements. Any pruning of a tree shall be supervised by a certified arborist.

F. No signs, ropes, cables (other than those which may be recommended by a certified arborist to provide limb support) or any other item shall be attached to the on-site trees to be retained and all portions of off-site tree driplines which extend onto the site.

G. No vehicles, construction equipment, mobile home/office, supplies, materials or facilities shall be driven, parked, stockpiled, or located within the CRZ area of the on-site trees to be retained and all portions of the off-site tree driplines which extend onto the site. No tree toxic materials shall be dumped on the project site (e.g., gasoline, herbicide, salt).

H. No grading (grade cut or fills) shall be allowed within the critical root zone of the on-site trees to be retained and all portions of off-site trees which extend onto the site with the exception of approved encroachment areas on the final development plans. If, in the opinion of the City Arborist, the impact of permitted grading in the critical root zone is severe, then the affected tree shall be retained on site but determined lost, and mitigation as required by the approving body shall be imposed.

I. No trenching shall be allowed within the critical root zone of the on-site trees to be retained and all portions of the off-site tree driplines which extend onto site. If it is absolutely necessary to install underground utilities within the CRZ/dripline of the tree, the utility line shall be bored or drilled under the direct supervision of a certified arborist.

J. Landscaping beneath the on-site trees to be retained and all portions of off-site tree driplines which extend on the site shall be consistent with the irrigation requirements of the protected trees as approved by the City Arborist.

K. Irrigation systems shall be approved by the City Arborist. No trenching for irrigation lines will be permitted under critical root zones without approval by the City Arborist.

L. Prior to installation of new asphalt, weed control chemicals shall not be applied where they can leach into the dripline of any protected tree(s).

M. During construction, the frequency and amount of water for protected trees shall not differ from that received prior to construction, unless otherwise authorized by the City Arborist.

N. Paving within the critical root zone of trees should be stringently minimized and only allowed under approval by the City Arborist. When pavement is absolutely necessary in the determination of the Public Works Director, porous material shall be used, or alternative design solutions may be utilized as approved by the City Arborist.

(Ord. 6-2011 § 4, eff. 3-25-2011; Ord. 20-2017 § 3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-13-2017)