Chapter 12.60
PERMIT APPLICATION AND PROCESSING
Sections:
12.60.010 Permit required for certain work.
12.60.020 Application for permit.
12.60.040 Review of application.
12.60.050 Public noticing requirements.
12.60.060 Dead Trees and High-Risk Trees.
12.60.070 New subdivisions – Cost of Trees paid to city.
12.60.010 Permit required for certain work.
It shall be a violation of this title for anyone to Remove or cause to be Removed or Substantially Pruned a Protected Tree, except as allowed in this title and as addressed by the Urban Forestry Standards. In the absence of Development, Protected Trees shall not be Pruned or Removed unless determined by the city arborist. Applications for Removal of designated Trees associated with Development shall be processed as part of the community Development permit review and approval process for the project, as provided in PGMC Title 23, Zoning.
The city arborist may require relevant information, including on the basis of a Tree Report prepared by a Qualified Professional for the applicant, if deemed necessary. The city arborist may determine that a Tree Report is not necessary if the Tree should be Removed because it is dead, is high-risk, is a detriment to or crowding an adjacent Protected Tree, or constitutes a nuisance under PGMC 12.40.030. [Ord. 13-013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 12-017 § 6, 2012].
12.60.020 Application for permit.
Removal of a Protected Tree requires completion of a Tree Removal application on forms provided by the city, accompanied by a fee as established in the city’s master fee schedule. Any person desiring to do any of the work described in this title shall apply for such permit. [Ord. 13-013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 12-017 § 6, 2012].
12.60.030 Tree Report.
The application for Removal of one or more Protected Trees shall include a written Tree Report, as specified in the Urban Forestry Standards. The Report shall be prepared for the applicant by a Qualified Professional and shall be submitted to the city to provide accurate information and a professional opinion regarding the condition, welfare, maintenance, preservation, and value of a Protected Tree. [Ord. 13-013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 12-017 § 6, 2012].
12.60.040 Review of application.
The city arborist shall review each application and may inspect the Tree and the surrounding area to determine whether, and under what conditions, the permit is to be granted.
The city arborist may refer a permit application to the beautification and natural resources commission or other appropriate review body, in the case of designated Trees associated with Development, for review and a determination on permit approval or denial.
Before approving any application, the city arborist shall be required to make the findings that the approved actions best further the purposes of this title, as specified in PGMC 12.10.020 (Findings). [Ord. 13-013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 12-017 § 6, 2012].
12.60.050 Public noticing requirements.
A permit to Remove or substantially alter any Protected Tree is not effective until the tenth day following the date of posting the property on which the Tree or Trees subject to the permit are located, unless it is an Emergency or nuisance pursuant to PGMC 12.40.030. The posted notice shall state that the permit approval may be appealed by any interested person during the 10-calendar-day posting period. City personnel shall post one notice on the subject Tree(s), two identical notices on public property within 200 feet of the property on which the subject Tree or Trees are located, in positions clearly visible to the public, and on the city’s website. The subject Tree(s) must also be marked with a bright chartreuse ribbon around the trunk, which shall remain on the Tree until work has begun. All notices shall remain posted until all work is completed. Noticing for designated Trees shall follow the procedures as provided in PGMC Title 23, Zoning. [Ord. 13-013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 12-017 § 6, 2012].
12.60.060 Dead Trees and High-Risk Trees.
All permit applications for dead Trees and High-Risk Trees with a potential failure rating of nine or above shall be Removed in a timely manner and processed within 10 days and requirements for a Tree Report, public noticing, etc. shall be adjusted accordingly. [Ord. 13-013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 12-017 § 6, 2012].
12.60.070 New subdivisions – Cost of Trees paid to city.
Before any Street improvements in any new subdivision of real property in the city are accepted by the city council, the subdivider shall pay to the city the total cost for purchasing and planting of all Trees to be planted along all Streets in said subdivision. After receipt of said payment, the city will plant said Trees at the proper time as determined by the city arborist. [Ord. 13-013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 12-017 § 6, 2012].
12.60.080 Issuance of permit.
If approved, a permit shall be issued authorizing a scope of work, so long as it:
(a) Will not create, continue, or aggravate any hazardous condition or public nuisance;
(b) Will not prevent or interfere with the growth, location, or planting of approved Public Trees.
All work performed under a permit shall be performed according to the Urban Forestry Standards.
The city arborist shall include such conditions on a permit as are necessary to fulfill the standards set out herein.
Response will generally be mailed to the applicant within 10 days and in no case longer than 20 days, except in the case of designated Trees associated with Development where processing timelines are as provided in PGMC Title 23, Zoning.
Each Tree permit shall expire 60 days after its effective date, except in the case of designated Trees associated with Development where permit expirations are as provided in PGMC Title 23, Zoning. The city arborist may grant up to one extension not to exceed 30 days. [Ord. 13-013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 12-017 § 6, 2012].
12.60.090 Time limits.
Whenever a number of days is specified in this title, or in any permit, condition of approval, notice issued or given as provided in this title, the number of days shall be construed as calendar days. Where the last of the specified number of days falls on a weekend, holiday, or other day city hall is closed, the time limit will extend to the following working day. [Ord. 13-013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 12-017 § 6, 2012].