Title 12 Public Ways and Property

Chapter 12.02 Obstruction, Encroachment of Public Ways

Article V: Urban Forestry Program

1. The city council and park board recognize that the design of the urban environment must ultimately be for the benefit of the quality of life of the human inhabitants, and that a healthy urban forest is a key component of the quality of life. The focus of the urban forestry program will be on balancing competing needs of the community, in the context of limited municipal resources, while promoting and maintaining a healthy urban forest.
    
2. The purpose of this article is to promote and protect the public health, safety and general welfare through the initiation of an urban forestry program, including supervision of the planting, pruning, removal and maintenance of trees, shrubs, and other plants within the public rights-of-way and public places of the City and by offering education and assistance to citizens to promote a healthy urban forest.
    

3. It is also the intent of the city council to:

   1. promote the restoration and preservation of desirable trees and shrubs;

   2. advocate for the establishment and retention of adequate tree planting spaces while considering the community desire for urban aesthetics; and

   3. as resources may allow, to address problems arising from improper planting, maintenance, or removal of trees and shrubs.
       
4. The urban forestry program reflects a municipal goal, but its implementation may be subject to budget or other limitations or restrictions from time to time. It is not a purpose of this article to create or expand any duty, responsibility, or liability on the part of the City of Spokane, its officers, agents, employees, or contractors. Any such duty nonetheless deemed created does not extend to any specific or identifiable person or class. Additionally, nothing in this article and no action taken or inaction by the City, its officers, agents, employees, or contractors shall reduce the responsibility of other persons or entities for intentional or negligent acts or omissions, including failure to maintain their property, curtilage or related areas with reasonable care. This subsection (D) controls all other provisions.

Date Passed: Monday, June 25, 2007

Effective Date: Saturday, August 4, 2007

Recodification ORD C34053 Section 1