City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 12
Chapter 12.02
Section 12.02.915
 

Title 12 Public Ways and Property

Chapter 12.02 Obstruction, Encroachment of Public Ways

Article V. Urban Forestry Program

Section 12.02.915 Urban Forestry Program
  1. Establishment.

The urban forestry program is established within the parks and recreation division, which exercises jurisdiction over street trees and shrubs and trees and shrubs located in other public places as defined in SMC 12.02.910(H).

  1. 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.

  1. Authority.
    1. The director regulates and permits the planting, pruning, removal, replacement, and maintenance of all street trees.
    1. The director, with the advice and assistance of the tree committee, will prepare the Arboricultural Manual and associated administrative policy and will present the manual and administrative policy to the park board and city council.
    1. The director, with the advice and assistance of the tree committee, will prepare the urban forestry plan and associated administrative policy and will present the plan and administrative policy to the park board, plan commission, and city council.
    1. 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.
    1. 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.
    1. The director will develop educational programs for the public promoting proper urban forestry practices.
    1. The director will facilitate the establishment of a citizen advisory committee to facilitate citizen participation in the urban forestry program.
    1. In carrying out the duties prescribed by this section, the director shall consult and coordinate with the director of the neighborhood and business services division.

Date Passed: Monday, April 22, 2019

Effective Date: Monday, May 27, 2019

ORD C35758 Section 1