Sonoma Municipal Code Art. II Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth in this section.

A. “Accepted arboricultural standards” means those pruning standards approved in the publication “Pruning Standards” published by the International Society of Arboriculture, as the same now exists and may be revised from time to time.

B. “Accepted arboricultural practices” means practices set forth as acceptable or better in current generally accepted textbooks on arboriculture and tree care and in current professional journals on arboriculture or university level publications on tree care.

C. “Alter” means to intentionally take an action that diminishes the health and vigor of a tree. “Alter” includes, but is not limited to, excessive or improper pruning of a tree, grade changes around or near a tree, excessive irrigation of a tree, and trenching in the root zone of a tree. “Alter” does not include periodic trimming, shaping, thinning or pruning of a tree to preserve or protect its health, growth or appearance, in accordance with accepted arboricultural standards and practices.

D. “Certified arborist” means a person who has been tested by and is currently certified as an “arborist” by the International Society of Arboriculture.

E. “Certified tree worker” means a person who has been tested by and is currently certified as a “tree worker” by the International Society of Arboriculture.

F. “Diameter” means the average diameter of the trunk of a tree measured at 54 inches above the average ground level immediately surrounding the trunk of the tree.

G. “Landscape tree” means any tree required under a landscaping plan associated with commercial or multifamily development, except for trees located in private yard areas associated with an individual dwelling.

H. “New development” shall mean any project requiring the construction of a new commercial structure or structures, the subdivision of property into two or more lots for the purpose of constructing new residential or commercial structures, or new multifamily (more than two units) residential construction.

I. “Nonintrusion zone” means the area of ground as determined by the table below surrounding the trunk of a tree within which certain activities may be restricted or prohibited in order to protect the tree.

J. “Person” means any individual or group of individuals, any partnership or corporation, or any unincorporated association. “Person” includes the city.

K. “Public property” means property owned by the city of Sonoma including parks, public streets, and street rights-of-way.

L. “Project arborist” means an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist selected by the city to report on and oversee the protection of trees on a site subject to new development.

M. “Protected tree” means any tree designated to be preserved on an approved development plan or as a condition of approval of a tentative map, a tentative parcel map, or other development approval issued by the city.

N. “Relocate” means to relocate a tree from the place where it is growing and replanting it in another location in accordance with accepted arboricultural practices and with the intent and a reasonable expectation that it will survive and grow in the new location.

O. “Remove” means the cutting down of a tree or the relocation of a tree in a manner not in accordance with accepted arboricultural practices.

P. “Significant tree” means any tree having a single trunk circumference greater than one and one-half feet at a height of four and one-half feet, except for those located on a single-family residential property or a multifamily residential property.

Q. “Significant tree, private” means any tree having a single trunk circumference greater than four and one-half feet at a height of four and one-half feet, located on a single-family or multifamily residential property within a front yard or street-side yard setback as defined in SMC Title 19.

R. “Tree” means any woody plant having a single trunk, or a combination of multiple trunks, with a natural growth pattern that includes a definitely formed branching crown.

S. “Tree committee” means the parks, recreation, and open space commission. (Ord. 11-2025 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 05-2022 § 3, 2022; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 11-2009 § 1(2), (3), (4), 2009; Ord. 09-2003 § 1, 2003; Ord. 96-11, 1996).