12.20.040 Standards for trees on private property.
A. Responsibilities of Adjacent Property Owners. Any person, persons, community association or corporation in possession of private property adjacent to public rights-of-way shall maintain any trees upon private property which may affect public right-of-way, in a safe, healthy condition in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Adjacent property owners have the following routine tree maintenance responsibilities:
1. Removal or pruning of trees located on the owner’s private real property that are considered a public nuisance as defined in LMC 12.20.050(A);
2. Pruning of trees located on the owner’s private real property that are considered a public nuisance as defined in LMC 12.20.050(A). Branches that overhang sidewalks or streets shall be pruned to provide sufficient vertical clearance over the sidewalk and street so as not to interfere with public travel; sidewalk clearance shall be ten feet high and road clearance shall be fourteen feet high. Control of pests on trees located on the owner’s private real property which may, upon determination by the city forester, pose a threat to public trees;
3. Removal of all debris (wood, branches and leaves) from public property by sunset of the day on which any tree work is done.
B. Tree Topping. It is unlawful for any person or city department to top any tree on private property. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes, or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical, may be exempted from this chapter at the determination of the city forester. (Ord. 1455 §1 (part), 2015).