Sec. 26-257. - Purpose.

The purpose of this division is to provide protection for the trees of this City that are of historic, aesthetic or environmental importance. This section seeks to preserve the cultural and historic heritage that the City's trees represent; to maintain the scenic beauty of the City; and, by the conservation of energy, the abatement of soil and slope erosion, and the enhancement of air quality, to improve the environment of the City. These purposes will be accomplished by:

(a)

Identifying significant trees and heritage trees and establishing procedures to encourage their preservation;

(b)

Including consideration of existing trees and their protection in the review and implementation of development proposals;

(c)

Requiring permits for the removal of significant trees, heritage trees, and trees on public property except in emergencies; and

(d)

Requiring replacement planting when significant trees, heritage trees, and trees on public property are removed.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

Sec. 26-258. - Definitions.

As used in this division:

Arborist shall mean a person who is a California Certified Arborist; a person accredited by the International Society of Arboriculture in California.

Caliper shall mean the maximum diameter of the trunk of a tree measured at four-and-one-half (4.5) feet above the natural grade. In the case of multi-trunked trees, "caliper" shall mean the sum of the calipers of each individual trunk measured at four-and-one-half (4.5) above grade.

Development activity means the work done pursuant to a development proposal approved by the City.

Development application is any application for a construction permit, precise plan of design, conditional use permit, variance, tentative subdivision map or a similar approval for the development of property.

Dripline shall mean an imaginary line on the ground, at the furthest extension of the canopy around the circumference of the tree. Typically, the dripline is not a perfect circle.

==> picture [192 x 140] intentionally omitted <==

Heritage tree shall mean any tree(s) identified as such by Planning Commission resolution upon the commission finding that the tree or group of trees:

(1)

Is of historical value because of its association with a place, building, natural feature, or an event of local, regional, or national historic significance;

(2)

Is identified on any historic or cultural resources survey as a significant feature of a landmark, historic site, or historic district;

(3)

Is representative of a significant period of the City's development; or

(4)

Is designated for protection or conservation in a Specific Plan, conditional use permit, precise plan of design, tract or parcel map or similar development approval.

Heritage tree shall also mean any native Southern California black walnut tree species (Juglans californica).

(1)

This definition shall not affect those Southern California black walnut trees located on R-1 and R-A lots created by any subdivision approved and recorded prior to the effective date of the ordinance enacting this subsection or any parking lot where the City approved the planting of Southern California black walnut trees as part of an approved landscape plan.

(2)

Any Southern California black walnut tree located on those O-S (Open Space) lots created under the density transfer standards outlined in section 26-59, shall further be protected under the guidelines contained in this section.

Multi-trunked tree shall mean a tree with a division of its trunk at less than four-and-one-half (4.5) feet above natural grade.

Permit means a tree removal and/or relocation permit and pruning of any tree in the Oak family.

Protection shall mean the safeguarding of trees through proper maintenance, pruning, treatment, fertilizing, feeding, and any other necessary means (standards of California Certified Arborists).

Public tree means any tree planted in or upon any street, park, parkway or public place in the City.

Removal means the uprooting, cutting, or severing of the main trunk of the tree or any act which causes, or may be reasonably expected to cause a tree to die or to be seriously damaged. These acts include, but are not limited to, damaging the root system by machinery, storage of materials within the dripline, soil compaction within the dripline, substantially changing the grade around the root system or trunk, excessive pruning, paving with concrete, asphalt, or other inadequate irrigation; or by attachment of signs or artificial material piercing the bark of the tree by means of nails, spikes or other piercing objects.

Significant tree is a tree located on private and/or public property that meets one (1) or more of the following requirements:

(1)

is located in the front yard of a lot or parcel and has a caliper of one (1) foot or more;

(2)

is located in the street-side yard of a corner lot and has a caliper of one (1) foot or more;

(3)

is located anywhere on a lot, has a caliper of six (6) inches, or more, and is one of the following species:

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)