Grand Terrace Municipal Code Ch. 12.28 Street and Parkway Trees

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), adopted Jan. 14, 2025, set our provisions intended as §§ 12.28.010—12.28.180, with the addition of § 12.28.010, said provisions have been redesignated as §§ 12.28.020—12.28.190.

For the purposes of this Chapter, the City of Grand Terrace recognizes the significant benefits that street and parkway trees provide to the community, including air and water quality improvement, shade provision, property value enhancement, and beautification. This Chapter aims to establish a comprehensive framework for the planting, maintenance, protection, and removal of trees within the public right-of-way, promoting a healthy and vibrant urban forest.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

For the purposes of this Chapter, certain words and phrases used in this Chapter shall be construed as set forth in this section unless it is apparent from the entire context that a different meaning is intended.

A. "Arborist" means a licensed and certified professional who specializes in the care, maintenance, and management of trees, shrubs, and other woody plants, and is trained in tree biology, pruning techniques, tree health care, planting, removal, and risk assessment related to trees.

B. "Approved tree list" includes a list of tree species that are authorized for planting based on factors like maturity, root system, parkway size, and suitability for the local climate.

C. "City tree" means any tree planted within the public right-of-way or on public property, such as parkways, streets, and parks, that is maintained by the City. Depending on the specified distance from the street's centerline as defined in Appendix D, a City tree may be located in front of or adjacent to a residence.

D. "Emergency removal" includes the removal of a tree that is deemed a hazardous tree and requires immediate action to protect public safety.

E. "Fruit tree" means a tree that is cultivated for the purpose of producing edible fruits, such as apples, oranges, peaches, cherries, avocado, and plums.

F. "Ground cover" includes low-growing, no more than 12 inches in height, non-spiny plants that spread across the ground which help prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and enhance visual appeal

G. "Hazardous tree" means a tree that poses a significant risk of injury or property damage due to disease, decay, structural defects, or other factors.

H. "Parkway" includes land dedicated or acquired for public use, the area between the sidewalk and curb, or the area between the curb and the property line if there is no sidewalk. It may also include medians, traffic islands, and/or other areas designated for tree planting.

I. "Property owner" means the legal owner or authorized representative of any property as documented in the official records of San Bernardino County Recorder's Office.

J. "Pruning" means the selective removal of branches to improve tree health, structure, and clearance over sidewalks and roadways.

K. "Public right-of-way" means a strip of land legally designated for transportation and utility purposes, including streets, sidewalks, pathways, and the airspace above and land below, which is publicly accessible.

L. "Street centerline" means an imaginary line that runs down the middle of a street serving as a reference point for various measurements and property ownership. For local streets, the city's ownership of trees extends from the street centerline to a distance of 30 feet onto the adjacent property, with further details and examples provided in Appendix D based on street types.

M. "Tree" means any perennial woody plant characterized by a single main stem or trunk and foliage, whether naturally occurring or intentionally planted, excluding self-sprouted or volunteer trees.

N. "Volunteer tree" means a tree that grows on its own, from seeds dropped by existing trees or carried by animals, rather than being deliberately planted by a human.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

Only trees designated specifically in Appendix A to this chapter may be planted either by developers, contractors, or individual homeowners. Additional trees may be approved at the direction of the designee of the Public Works Department.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

Due to the existence of City street trees, the resulting tree-lined streets provide both aesthetic and monetary value to the property owner. Adjacent property owners shall be responsible for the daily care and maintenance of parkway trees, including pruning outside the designated areas on the Tree Maintenance Map's Schedule. Exceptions to this pruning responsibility may be made on a case-by-case basis. This responsibility includes:

A. Regular watering.

B. Maintaining a clear sidewalk adjacent to property by promptly removing fallen leaves, seeds, and other tree droppings.

C. Reporting significant damage or hazardous conditions, or issues beyond routine maintenance to the Public Works Department for further assistance.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

It is unlawful, except as provided in this Chapter, for any person to plant or cause to be planted any growing thing other than grass or permitted ground cover in any public right-of-way or parkway.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

Property owners without trees in the right-of-way have the opportunity to select an approved tree from the two to four foot parkway list as set forth within this Section after signing an agreement with the City and committing to the requirements of this Chapter. While the City will make reasonable efforts to plant the tree of the property owner's choice, tree selection is not guaranteed; if the chosen tree is unavailable, the City's arborist will select the next available alternative, and the City will not notify property owners regarding unavailable selections.

Additionally, property owners can improve their landscaping by planting a tree in the City's right-of-way at their own expense. This requires a no-fee encroachment permit, which allows the City to include the new tree in its inventory for regular maintenance by the City.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

Street and parkway trees are considered City property and may not be removed by property owners except as provided in subsections A and B of this Section.

A. A healthy tree, as determined by an arborist, may only be removed by the homeowner after obtaining a no-cost agreement from the City for tree pruning and removal. The homeowner must replant and maintain an approved tree at their own expense within 60 days of removal.

B. Property owners may obtain a no-cost agreement for tree pruning and removal, allowing them to remove volunteer trees, fruit trees, cycads, dwarf palms, or any other type of palm species located within the City's right-of-way. This removal must be performed by a licensed arborist or landscaper holding a valid C-27 license from the California State License Board.

C. No permit is required to prune or remove a public tree if a variance, conditional use permit, or design review approval was secured from the city prior to the effective date of this Section, or if a valid building permit impacting the tree was legally issued by the City.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

A. Pruning outside of the City's designated schedule is the responsibility of the adjacent homeowner. However, the homeowner must first obtain a no-cost encroachment permit from Public Works. All work must be carried out by an arborist licensed by the California State License Board or a C-27 landscaper.

B. The trees shall be maintained in a manner that prevents hazards and does not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian use of streets and sidewalks. Additionally, the property owner shall be required to maintain overgrowth to ensure it does not encroach upon or overhang any adjacent sidewalk or street.

C. Unless special circumstances are approved by the City, encroachment is defined as a minimum clearance of eight feet above sidewalks and 15 feet above streets. No permit is necessary to remove hazards or correct encroachments.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

Paving of parkways is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

The City shall impose fines on anyone who violates any Section of this Chapter to cover the actual costs of correction. Property owners and contractors will be liable for expenses related to the removal of trees planted without prior approval, replanting of removed trees, or the removal of landscaping other than approved ground cover, as specified in this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

The City shall notify residents and property owners about any project that involves planting a City tree within the parkway on their property. Notification methods can include mailings and door hangers. City staff, contractors, or volunteers may be used to carry out these notifications.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

The City manages tree planting and removal in the public right-of-way. When the City removes a tree, particularly parkway trees, it will strive to plant a replacement in the same location. Furthermore, for each tree removed, the City will plant two new trees, focusing on areas where tree loss has the most significant impact.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

The City may remove and replace street and parkway trees in its discretion and at its own expense. The City may remove trees that are:

A. Diseased, as verified by an arborist;

B. Constituting a traffic hazard;

C. Damaging or posing a risk of damage to streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, or utility lines;

D. Not in compliance with the adopted specifications;

E. Required for road or infrastructure improvements during construction or development.

If there is a deviation in the concrete sidewalk caused by lifting, and it measures less than ¾ inch, the raised edge of the concrete may be ground down to be level with the adjacent slab. However, if a sidewalk panel has already been ground down or replaced, and further lifting occurs due to the tree root system, the tree may be removed.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

A. The City will issue all necessary agreements or permits to implement the provisions of this Chapter.

B. Permit fees shall be established by a resolution of the City.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

Subdividers and contractors may not plant trees in parkways until the adjacent home has water supplied to it. Maintenance of the trees shall remain with the contractor until the adjacent home is occupied.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

All trees must be guaranteed by the contractor for a period of 120 days after the residence is occupied.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

Trees must be planted a minimum of 25 feet from property lines at street intersections, including the extended lines of those boundaries.

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(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

All plantings must be done in accordance with specifications indicated in Appendix B to this Chapter. Soil shall be firmly packed by watering to prevent air pockets. Trees shall be tied using a double stake. Bare root plantings may only be done in December, January, and February. At all other times, only containerized material shall be planted. All plantings shall have a minimum caliper size of one inch.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)

It is the intent of this Chapter to mandate one lawn tree per lot, unless such lot has more than 80 feet of frontage beyond the public right-of-way. In such cases, one tree should be planted for every 40 feet or part thereof of frontage. Each block must have an average of one tree for every 60 feet. Additionally, anyone who constructs a new building or expands the floor area of an existing main building by 50 percent of its original size must plant at least two 24-inch box trees.

(Ord. No. 364, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-2025)