Sonoma Municipal Code Art. V Permits

A. Any person desiring to alter, remove or relocate any tree(s) for which a permit is required under the provisions of SMC 12.08.030(B) or 12.08.032 shall make application upon an appropriate city form to the public works director. The applicant may also submit documentation of any type, including written recommendations from a certified arborist, concerning the health and quality and the desirability of alternatives (e.g., relocation or alteration) to the removal of each tree.

1. The granting or denying of a tree removal permit should be based upon reasonable standards including:

a. The condition of the tree with respect to its general health, structural condition, hazards potential and proximity to existing or proposed structures;

b. The necessity of the tree removal to allow construction of improvements or otherwise allow economic or other reasonable enjoyment of the property;

c. The number, species, age, size and location of existing trees in the area and the effect of the requested removal on shade areas, air pollution, historic values, scenic beauty, and the general welfare of the city as a whole.

2. The review and permit process is not intended to prevent the necessary removal of trees for safety purposes, but is intended to provide a forum in which the value (i.e., shade, appearance, etc.) of the tree or trees proposed for removal can be measured against the reasons for which the applicant desires to have it altered, removed or relocated. Replacement trees should normally be required to mitigate the loss of the tree.

B. Prior to making a determination on the application, the tree committee shall inspect the tree(s) sought to be altered, removed or relocated. The tree committee may also refer the application to another department, commission or committee of the city, as they deem appropriate, and may require the applicant to provide additional information which they deem necessary in order to make an informed decision on the application. However, the tree committee shall render a decision on the application within 30 days of its referral to the committee by the public works director.

C. If the tree committee approves an application to alter, remove, or relocate a tree, it shall direct the public works director to issue a permit, subject to such conditions as the committee deems appropriate, which may include the planting of replacement trees.

D. A permit granted under the provisions of this section shall be valid for a period of 60 days from the date of issuance unless a longer period is stated in the permit, or an additional 60 days’ extension is granted by the public works director. If the work authorized by the permit is not commenced prior to the expiration date, the permit shall become null and void. Once the work authorized by a permit is commenced, it shall be expeditiously pursued to completion. (Ord. 11-2009 § 1(12), (13), 2009; Ord. 09-2003 § 1, 2003; Ord. 96-11, 1996).