Sec. 26-263. - Protection of trees during development activity.

The following protective measures shall be exercised by all individuals, developers, and contractors working near preserved trees. All construction shall preserve and protect the health of trees to remain, relocated trees, and new trees planted to replace those removed in accordance with the following:

(a)

No grading, construction, or construction-related activities shall occur within the dripline of a significant tree or a heritage tree. Construction-related activities include, but are not limited to, the storage of materials, grade changes, or attachment of wires to or around tree trunks, stems or limbs.

(b)

Significant trees and heritage trees shall be shielded from damage during construction with an appropriate construction barrier, such as chain link and steel stake fence enclosing the entire dripline area. All exposed roots shall be inside the fence or barrier. The fence or barrier shall have a minimum height of six (6) feet measured from the grade. In all cases where a fence or barrier is to be used around a protected tree, the

fence or barrier shall be installed prior to commencement of any development activity on the site and shall remain in place throughout all phases of construction. Fences may not be removed without obtaining written authorization from the Community Development Director or their designee.

(c)

No structure or impervious paving shall be located within the dripline or within a six (6) foot radius of the trunk perimeter, whichever is greater, of any significant tree or heritage tree, unless approved as part of a tree permit. A tree with a caliper of thirty (30) inches or more shall require additional space as determined by the Community Development Director or their designee, Public Services Department, or City arborist.

(d)

Branches that could be injured by vehicles or that interfere with the development activity may be pruned to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director or their designee, public services department, or City arborist.

(e)

No compaction of the soil within the dripline of any tree shall be undertaken, unless approved as part of a tree permit.

(f)

No construction, including structures and walls, that disrupts the root system shall be permitted, unless approved as part of a tree permit. As a guideline, no cutting of roots should occur within a distance equal to three and one-half (3½) times the trunk diameter, as measured at ground level. Actual setback may vary to meet the needs of individual tree species as determined by the Community Development Director or their designee, public services department, or City arborist. Where some root removal is necessary, the tree crown may require thinning to prevent wind damage.

(g)

The required landscape and irrigation plan shall be tailored per the needs of retained trees, as specified by a tree arborist. Trees of the oak family must be on a separate irrigation timer, or as specified by a tree arborist.

(h)

The Community Development Director or their designee may impose additional measures determined necessary to preserve and protect the health of trees to remain, relocated trees, and new trees planted to replace those removed.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)