Chapter 12.40
TREE STANDARDS
Sections:
12.40.030 Permission to plant trees.
12.40.040 Utility right-of-way.
12.40.050 Removal of trees and shrubs.
12.40.060 Trimming overhanging trees—Duty of property owner.
12.40.080 Care and disposition of existing trees.
12.40.130 Inspection and appeal.
12.40.010 Purpose.
It is hereby declared that the preservation and development of the beauty of nature is essential to the progress and growth of the city. It is the policy of the city to plant and maintain, and to encourage the planting and maintenance of, desirable trees and other plantings to enhance the beauty of the community for the health, welfare and safety of its citizens. The council has become concerned with the proper selection, location and care of trees planted in planting strips, other public places and adjacent areas, and has studied ways to eliminate problems connected with adequate street illumination, safety to the community, preservation of public utilities, and providing the greatest aesthetic value to the city. The ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations relating to the planting, care and maintenance of such trees. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 1, 2000)
12.40.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them:
A. “Owner” means the legal owner of real property fronting or abutting on any property of the city and any lessees of such owner, including fee owner and holder of a purchaser’s interest in a real estate contract.
B. “Planting strip” means that part of the public right-of-way lying between the sidewalk and back of curb, or lying between the sidewalk and the adjacent property boundary, which contains ground cover supportive of plant material.
C. “Public property” means all roads, streets, avenues, alleys, public rights-of-way, tree lawns, planting strips or any public property or portion thereof of the city.
D. “Tree topping” means removing large amounts of leaves and branches from a tree’s crown reducing the tree’s size. This practice removes large amounts of energy-converting leaves from the tree, forcing the tree to tap energy reserves to replace lost foliage, resulting in a weakened tree that is more susceptible to attack by pests and disease. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 2, 2000)
12.40.030 Permission to plant trees.
All trees, shrubs and plants planted in any public place or right-of-way shall be with prior permission of the city and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. No tree shall be planted in any planting strip or public property less than five feet wide. No tree shall be planted closer to any curb or sidewalk than the following: small trees, two feet; medium trees, three feet; and large trees, four feet. On streets that do not have curbs and/or sidewalks or planters, the city shall approve the location of new trees consistent with street and sidewalk standards. No tree shall be planted within twenty-five feet of a street light or intersection. No street tree shall be planted closer than twenty feet from any fire hydrant. Trees planted under utility lines shall not exceed a maximum mature height of twenty feet. Only small and medium trees may be planted under or within ten lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, or over or within five lateral feet of any underground water line, transmission line, or other utility, provided the trees’ mature height is less than or equal to twenty feet.
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Tree Size |
Small, Narrow |
Medium |
Large |
|---|---|---|---|
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Minimum Planting Strip Width |
5 feet |
7 feet |
10 feet |
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Average Tree Spacing |
20 feet |
30 feet |
40 feet |
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Minimum Tree Setback From Vehicular Traffic |
2 feet from back of curb |
3 feet from back of curb |
4 feet from back of curb |
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Minimum Vertical Sidewalk Clearance |
8 feet |
8 feet |
8 feet |
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Minimum Vertical Road Clearance |
14 feet |
14 feet |
14 feet |
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Maximum Tree Height Within 10 Feet of an Overhead Utility |
20 feet |
20 feet |
Large trees prohibited |
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Maximum Tree Height Within 5 Feet of an Underground Utility |
20 feet |
20 feet |
Large trees prohibited |
(Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 3, 2000)
12.40.040 Utility right-of-way.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, all trees shall be placed and maintained in such a manner as not to interfere with any utility franchise, license or right-of-way granted, or to be granted, by the city. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 4, 2000)
12.40.050 Removal of trees and shrubs.
The stumps and roots of trees or shrubs removed under the authority of this chapter shall be removed below the surface of the ground so that the top of the stump shall not project above the surface of the ground. The remaining roots shall be treated with a suitable compound to prevent future sprouting or growth. Roots from trees planted on public property or adjacent private property, which have disrupted or broken the adjacent street surface, sidewalk or curb, shall be repaired at the adjacent property owner’s expense. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 5, 2000)
12.40.060 Trimming overhanging trees—Duty of property owner.
All property owners within the corporate limits of the city shall, at their own expense, keep all trees, brush and other foliage from projecting out over the public streets and sidewalks and alleys so as not to interfere, in any way, with the use of street construction, utility franchises right-of-way and license, and cleaning equipment, nor shall the same interfere with sidewalk traffic or create a hazardous situation insofar as the same obstructs the view of motorists using the public streets.
It shall be the responsibility of the adjacent property owner of the sidewalk to regularly trim street trees off the sidewalk to provide a vertical clearance of eight feet above the surface so as not to constitute a hazard or impediment to the progress or vision of anyone traveling on public property. Tree topping, as defined in this chapter, is strictly prohibited. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 5, 2000)
12.40.070 Clear vision area.
A clear vision area shall be maintained on the corners of all property adjacent to the intersection of two streets or of a street and a private drive or street, alley or railroad. A clear vision area shall contain no planting, fence or other temporary or permanent obstruction exceeding three feet in height, measured from the top of the curb, or where no curb exists, from the established centerline grade of the street. Taller trees may be permitted if all branches and foliage to a height of eight feet above the top of the curb or sidewalk and fourteen feet above the street are removed. No tree shall be planted closer than twenty feet from any public or private street corner, measured from the nearest intersection curb or curbline. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 6, 2000)
12.40.080 Care and disposition of existing trees.
Any hazardous or nuisance trees in existence on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be removed or rectified by the property owner. The city may remove, or cause to be removed, at the expense of the abutting land owner, a tree or part of a tree which is in an unsafe condition or constitutes a public nuisance, or which by reason of its nature is injurious to utilities, sidewalks, capital facilities, or other public improvements, or which otherwise satisfies the criteria of types of nuisances as defined in Section 8.16.020. If a hazardous or nuisance tree is not deemed an immediate danger to public safety or property, the city may require a report conducted by a certified arborist be submitted to the public works department to determine whether such tree shall be removed and by what means. Hazardous or nuisance trees deemed immediately dangerous to public safety or property shall be removed at the expense of the abutting land owner. The final decision to remove a hazardous or nuisance tree shall be made by the public works director. The city may, but is not required to, contribute to the cost of removal and replanting by payment or in-kind services. Street trees planted in Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) right-of-way are subject to WSDOT removal and replacement policies. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 7, 2000)
12.40.090 Short plats, subdivisions and planned residential development—Tree planting in rights-of-way.
Other than distances noted above from street corners and utilities, developers of short plats, subdivisions and PRDs are required to plant trees in planting strips per the following requirements: Small trees shall be planted every twenty feet on average, medium trees every thirty feet on average, and large trees every forty feet on average, with ground cover or shrubs to be used liberally. In the instance of commercial or industrial planned unit development adjacent to residentially zoned property, trees must be planted a maximum of fifteen feet on-center and in conformance with the remainder of the landscaping requirements established in Section 17.50.080. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 8, 2000)
12.40.100 Prohibited trees.
Street trees must not become a nuisance or be a disruption to city infrastructure or public safety and general welfare. It is unlawful to plant in or on any planting strip or other public property the following kinds of trees: poplar, willow, cottonwood, fruit-bearing or nut-bearing, elkhorn, mountain ash, Oregon or bigleaf maple. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 9, 2000)
12.40.110 Recommended trees.
Trees appropriate under overhead utility lines shall be no taller than twenty feet at maximum height. Recommended trees that meet this requirement are identified below with “UT” (i.e., utility tree).
A. Small, narrow street trees (average spacing: twenty feet, minimum planting strip width: five feet, minimum tree setback from vehicular traffic: two feet from back of curb):
1. American Hornbeam (UT);
2. American Smoke Tree (UT);
3. Ash (Flowering ash);
4. Dogwood (Eddie’s White Wonder dogwood (UT), Pacific dogwood (UT));
5. Dove-tree;
6. Magnolia (Little Gem magnolia (UT));
7. Maple (Bigtooth maple, Buckeye maple (UT), Burgundy Lace Japanese maple (UT), David’s maple, Paperbark maple (UT), Rocky Mountain maple (UT), Three Flower maple (UT), Trident maple (UT), Vine maple (UT));
8. Myrtle (Sarah’s Favorite Crape myrtle (UT));
9. Oak (Crimson Spire oak);
10. Redbud (Oklahoma redbud) (UT);
11. Sourwood;
12. Washington Hawthorn (UT).
B. Medium size street trees (average spacing: thirty feet, minimum planting strip width: seven feet, minimum tree setback from vehicular traffic: three feet from back of curb):
1. Ash (Flame, Golden Desert);
2. Beech (Rivers Purple beech);
3. Birch (Paper birch, River birch);
4. Crabapple (Flowering crabapple) (UT);
5. Ginkgo Biloba (male species only);
6. Laurel (California laurel);
7. Linden (Littleleaf linden);
8. Magnolia (Kobus magnolia);
9. Maple (Autumn Blaze, Autumn Flame, Hedge maple (UT), Norwegian Sunset, October Glory, Pacific Sunset, Red maple, Sugar maple);
10. Redbud (Eastern redbud (UT), Forest Pansy redbud (UT));
11. Village Green Zelkova;
12. Yellowwood.
C. Large boulevard trees (average spacing: forty feet, minimum planting strip width: ten feet, minimum tree setback from vehicular traffic: four feet from back of curb):
1. Beech (European beech, etc.);
2. Chestnut (Chinese chestnut, Fort McNair Pink Horsechestnut);
3. Elm (American elm, Athena Classic elm, Frontier elm, Homestead elm) (Dutch elm disease resistant species only);
4. Linden (Silver linden);
5. Maple (Sycamore maple);
6. Oak (Chinkapin oak, Garry oak, Oregon White, Red oak, Scarlet oak);
7. Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress;
8. Sweet Gum;
9. Tulip Tree.
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Small, Narrow |
Medium Sized |
Large Boulevard |
Trees Recommended Beneath Overhead Utility Lines |
Prohibited Street Trees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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American Hornbeam |
Ash (Flame, Golden Desert) |
Beech (European beech, etc.) |
American Hornbeam |
Big-Leaf Maple |
|
American Smoke Tree |
Beech (Rivers Purple beech) |
Chestnuts (Chinese chestnuts, Ft. McNair Pink Horsechestnut) |
American Smoke Tree |
Cottonwood |
|
Buckeye Maple |
Birch (Paper birch, River birch) |
Elm (American elm, Athena Classic elm, Frontier elm, Homestead elm) (Dutch elm disease resistant only) |
Buckeye Maple |
Elkhorn |
|
Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple |
Crabapple (flowering crabapple) |
Gum (Sweet gum) |
Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple |
Fruit- or nut-bearing trees |
|
Dogwood (Eddie’s White Wonder dogwood, Pacific dogwood) |
Ginkgo Biloba (male only) |
Oak (Red oak, Oregon White, Chinkapin, Scarlet oak, Garry oak) |
Crabapple (Flowering Crabapple) |
Mountain Ash |
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Dove-Tree |
Laurel (California Laurel) |
Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress |
Eastern Redbud |
Oregon Maple |
|
Flowering Ash |
Linden (Littleleaf linden) |
Silver Linden |
Eddie’s White Wonder Dogwood |
Poplar |
|
Little Gem Magnolia |
Magnolia (Kobus Magnolia) |
Sycamore maple |
Forest Pansy Redbud |
Willow |
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Maple (Bigtooth Maple, David’s maple, Paperback maple, Rocky Mountain maple, Trident maple, Vine maple) |
Maple (Autumn Blaze, October Glory, Norwegian Sunset, Pacific Sunset, Autumn Flame, Hedge maple, Red maple, Sugar maple) |
Tulip Tree |
Hedge Maple |
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Oak (Crimson Spire oak) |
Redbud (Eastern redbud, Forest Pansy redbud) |
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Little Gem Magnolia |
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Oklahoma Redbud |
Village Green Zelkova |
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Oklahoma Redbud |
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Sarah’s Favorite Crape Myrtle |
Yellowwood |
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Pacific Dogwood |
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Sourwood |
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Paperback Maple |
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Three Flower Maple |
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Rocky Mountain Maple |
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Washington Hawthorn |
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Sarah’s Favorite Crape Myrtle |
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Three Flower Maple |
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Trident Maple |
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Vine Maple |
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Washington Hawthorn |
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Adjacent property owners may recommend alternative tree species. The use of native tree species is strongly recommended. These trees will be subject to approval by the city following review of the recommended species. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 10, 2000)
12.40.120 Planting standards.
A. Street trees shall be planted in accordance with the standards of Section 17.50.070.
B. Where street trees are planted in the planting strip of the public right-of-way and/or within five feet of an underground utility line, root barriers as required per the public works department standards shall be installed to protect such infrastructure from future damage. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025)
12.40.130 Inspection and appeal.
A. The city may inspect any tree upon or which overhangs any public property or lawn to determine whether the same or any portion thereof is in such a condition as to constitute a hazard or impediment to the progress or vision of anyone traveling on public property. Any tree or part thereof growing upon private or public property, but overhanging or interfering with the use of public property that endangers life, health, safety or property, or is otherwise in violation of this chapter, is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. The city shall by written notice require the adjacent property owner to abate the nuisance by trimming, destroying or removal, at the owner’s cost and expense. The property owner shall have thirty days from the date of the notification of the nuisance to remove or trim the hazardous or nuisance tree. If the adjacent property owner does not cause the nuisance to be corrected or removed, the city may abate the nuisance as outlined in Chapter 18.40 and the cost shall be assessed to the adjacent property owner.
B. Appeals from the city determination that a nuisance exists may be made by any citizen or the adjacent property owner within ten days after the property owner is notified of the city determination. Such determination may be appealed to the city council at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Action taken by the city council on such appeal shall be final.
C. If the owner of such private property does not correct or remove such nuisance within thirty days after receipt of written notice from the city, they shall be guilty of a civil infraction, and subject to a monetary penalty of not more than the amount listed in the master fee schedule adopted by resolution of the city council. Each day for which the violation is allowed to continue shall be a separate offense. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to impose any liability upon the city, its officers or employees, nor to relieve the owner of any private property from the duty to keep any tree upon his property or under his control in such a condition as to prevent it from constituting a public nuisance as defined in this section. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2013-22 § 36, 2022; Ord. 1382-00 § 11, 2000. Formerly 12.40.120)
12.40.140 Reserved rights.
Nothing in this chapter shall create a property right or interest in the public right-of-way for adjoining owners. The city may amend or repeal all or part of this chapter at any time. (Ord. 2093-24 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1382-00 § 12, 2000. Formerly 12.40.130)