Under Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 12.20 (Street Tree Ordinance), the adjoining property owner is responsible for watering and trimming the street tree in front of their property and must keep it pruned to at least 14 feet over any street or alley and at least 8 feet over any parkway or sidewalk. All street trees must be pruned to ANSI A300 standards, and 'topping' (severe cutback of limbs larger than three inches inside the canopy) is prohibited without authorization from the Director of Public Works.
Visalia's Street Tree Ordinance is codified at Chapter 12.20 of the Visalia Municipal Code (Ord. 2004-21). Section 12.20.020 defines a 'street tree' as any tree located between the curb and sidewalk, within a tree well in the sidewalk, in the public right-of-way, or within a street tree easement adjacent to the right-of-way. Section 12.20.070 places primary care on the adjoining property owner: 'All watering and trimming of street trees for maintenance and beauty shall be the responsibility of the adjoining property owner,' unless a Homeowner's Association or Landscape and Lighting Act District provides the funding. Section 12.20.080 sets the mandatory clearance heights: 14 feet over any street or alley and 8 feet over any parkway or sidewalk - this rule applies equally to street trees and to private trees overhanging the right-of-way. Section 12.20.090 requires all pruning to follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 tree-care standards. Section 12.20.050 prohibits 'topping,' defined in 12.20.020 as 'the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three (3) inches in diameter within a tree's crown dripline to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree.' Section 12.20.230 requires a removal permit from the Director of Public Works (or designee) before any person may remove a street tree; permits are valid for 30 days (one year for public utilities). Under Section 12.20.040, no street tree may be altered, pruned, or removed except under the chapter and the City's authorized street-tree guidelines. Section 12.20.060 protects trees during construction within the crown dripline. Sections 12.20.140 and 12.20.150 make the adjoining property owner responsible for curb/gutter/sidewalk damage and sewer-lateral damage caused by a street tree. Section 12.20.220 lets the City order the owner to correct sight-line obstructions caused by shrubs/hedges in the parkway within 30 days and bill the cost if the owner fails. Oak trees are governed by the separate Chapter 12.24 (see Oak Tree Preservation row).
Section 12.20.220 lets the Director of Public Works require correction of vegetation obstructions within 30 days of written notice and, on noncompliance, perform the work and bill the property owner for all costs. Under Section 12.20.190 the Director may remove dangerous, diseased, or pest-infected trees without incurring City liability for replacement. Section 12.20.230 makes removing a street tree without a permit a violation; permits expire after 30 days. Section 12.20.140 and 12.20.150 transfer the cost of curb/gutter/sidewalk and sewer-lateral repair caused by trees to the adjoining property owner. Appeals of Director decisions go to the City Council under Section 12.20.240, with written appeals due 10 business days after the decision.
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