City of Spokane - Municipal Code

Title 12 Public Ways and Property

Chapter 12.02 Obstruction, Encroachment of Public Ways

Article V: Urban Forestry Program

Section 12.02.904 Urban Forestry Program

Establishment.
The urban forestry program is established within the parks and recreation department, which exercises jurisdiction over trees and shrubs within the public rights-of-way and other public places.
Responsible Official.
The director of parks and recreation is designated as the responsible official for administering the urban forestry program. The director may designate an employee as the urban forester to perform the duties to administer the program.
Authority.
1. The director regulates and permits the planting, pruning, removal, replacement, and maintenance of all street trees.
2. The director, with the advice and assistance of the tree committee, will prepare the Arboricultural Manual and will present the manual to the park board and city council for adoption.
3. The director, with the advice and assistance of the tree committee, will prepare the vegetation management plan and will present the plan to the park board, plan commission, and city council for adoption.
4. The director examines all trees and shrubs within the scope of this article to determine whether they are contagiously diseased, dead, or hazardous, obstructing the right-of-way, or posing a threat to public safety, having the right to take samples from trees and shrubs for laboratory testing.
5. The director, with the advice and assistance of the tree committee, will develop a plan for assisting property owners with their street trees, which plan includes educational programs and criteria for financial assistance.
6. The director will develop educational programs for the public promoting proper urban forestry practices.
7. The director will facilitate the establishment of a citizen advisory committee to facilitate citizen participation in the urban forestry program.

Date Passed: Monday, June 25, 2007

Effective Date: Saturday, August 4, 2007

Recodification ORD C34053 Section 1