Victorville Municipal Code Ch. 13.46 Regulation of the Sale of Christmas Trees on Vacant Land and Within…

The following regulations shall apply to premises where Christmas trees are sold or offered for sale:

(a) All artificial lighting shall be electrical and approved by the building department. Before installation an electrical permit shall be obtained from said department;

(b) Open fires shall not be permitted on the premises;

(c) The storage and handling of flammable liquids or materials shall be in safe areas only, in limited quantities and then only as approved by the development department. The storage and handling of flammable liquids or materials within a tent is prohibited;

(d) If tents are used, they shall consist of flame retardant material approved by the development department and all aisle space shall be provided as required by the development department;

(e) No building, tent or other temporary structure or enclosure shall be used for the sale of Christmas trees unless it complies with all the applicable provisions of this code;

(f) One chemical toilet shall be installed on all vacant land or lots where Christmas trees are being sold;

(g) Any temporary structure such as a tent, portable building or trailer may be used but no cooking therein shall be permitted;

(h) All trees, tree trimmings and debris shall be removed by January 2.

(i) Cleaning Deposit. Before a business license may be issued, there shall be a fee of five hundred dollars deposited to guarantee that the premises shall be left in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. In the event such premises are not left in such condition as approved by the collector within two days from the date of the sale of such items ceases at any such location, then said sum shall be forfeited to the city and may be applied by the city for the purpose of placing such premises in such condition as may be approved by the collector. Should the cost for placing such premises in a clean condition exceed the five hundred dollar deposit, the deposit will be forfeited to the city and the amount exceeding five hundred dollars shall be billed to the operator of the Christmas tree sales lot.

(Ord. 1745 § 3 (part), 1995; Ord. 1501 § 1, 1991; Ord. 296 § 1 (part), 1970)

(Ord. No. 2266, 1-18-2011)

Where Christmas trees are sold or offered for sale within buildings, tents, premises or portions thereof to which the public is invited or admitted, the following additional mandatory regulations apply:

(a) Aisles and exits shall be kept clear, clean and free from obstructions;

(b) Firefighting appliances such as garden hoses or fire extinguishers or the equivalent shall be available;

(c) Christmas trees—Cut natural trees shall be flame-retardant treated and must be installed and located in such a way as not to obstruct aisles or exits or in proximity to any ready source of ignition. All fire-retardant treatment and process shall be in accordance with the requirements of Title 19, California Administrative Code;

EXCEPTION: Trees need not be fire-retardant treated provided they do not exceed four feet in height, are removed from possible contact with the public, are not maintained for a period in excess of fifteen days, and the base is kept in water or wet sand;

(d) Decorations—All decorations used on any tree must be noncombustible or fire-retardant and shall meet the requirements of Title 19, California Administrative Code;

(e) Ignition Source—No open-flame devices shall be used as Christmas decorations. All electrical equipment shall be of an approved type.

(Ord. 296 § 1 (part), 1970)

(a) All service poles for permanent or temporary service shall comply with rules of the Public Utilities Commission, Electrical Safety Orders and the latest edition of the National Electrical Code, and shall be located where approved by the building department.

(b) Temporary serving poles used for Christmas tree lots and other similar uses, shall consist of the following:

(1) An approved rain-tight switch or breaker panel with circuit breakers of the proper size. No branch circuit shall exceed twenty amperes;

(2) A minimum service raceway no less than one-inch trade size and No. 8 copper or No. 6 aluminum conductors.

(c) Secondary poles shall be four inches square and sixteen feet long Douglas fir set to a depth of thirty inches. Insulators shall be placed within twelve inches of the top of the pole. Poles shall be no more than forty feet apart.

(d) Feeder wires shall be a minimum of No. 12 AWG insulated and secured to insulators.

(e) Pigtail sockets may be used for both solid and stranded wire.

(f) When pin-type sockets are used, stranded wire shall be used. Other methods may be used with written permission from the building department.

(g) On all vacant lots where trees are being sold there shall be an approved power installed.

(h) Temporary poles may be installed for a period of ninety days and removed immediately after purpose is served.

(Ord. 1501 § 2, 1991: Ord. 296 § 1 (part), 1970)