8.28.080 Principles governing determination of corrective work required.
In the event of arbitration or litigation of a complaint of obstruction, the arbitrator or court shall consider the following guidelines regarding whether corrective work is required and, if so, the nature and extent thereof:
A. Undesirable Trees. By reason of their tall height at maturity, rapid growth, dense foliage, shallow root structure, flammability, breakability, or invasiveness, certain types of trees have been deemed undesirable by the City, including blue gum eucalyptus, coast redwood, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, poplar, acacia decurrens, acacia melanoxylon trees, or any other tree which generally grows more than three feet per year in height and is capable of reaching a height of over thirty-five feet at maturity. When considering corrective work for undesirable trees, aggressive action may be appropriate.
B. Stump growth. Stump growth generally results in various types of hazards, and should be discouraged.
C. Trimming. In determining corrective work on other than stump growth and hedges, to the extent it is feasible, corrective work should be limited to proper pruning and thinning techniques as specified by the International Society of Arboriculture.
D. Topping. Topping means the elimination of the upper portion of a tree’s trunk or main leader. Topping normally should be limited to those instances in which it is essential to avoid hazards, unless other corrective measures are inadequate. Topping may be permitted in all instances where it is the only reasonable method of correcting an unreasonable view or sunlight obstruction.
E. Removal of Trees. Tree removal to the ground may be required where, by reason of the nature or number of trees growing on the same parcel, such removal is essential to eliminate an unreasonable view or sunlight obstruction or where such removal is desirable to prevent undue density or growth with the consequent danger of increase in fire hazard or aggravation of view impairment.
F. Hedges—Height Limitations. No hedge, as defined in Section 8.28.020, shall be permitted to grow to a height exceeding the authorized height of fences as set forth in this Code, if in so doing such hedge interferes with the view from or sunlight reaching any parcel of private property in the City. (Ord. 98-8 § 1, 1998.)