§ 72-848. Tree permit requirements for residential construction.

(a)

Residential construction application requirements. At the time of application for building permits for residential construction, the applicant must certify compliance with the requirements of this article. If it is anticipated that no trees requiring a permit are to be removed, submittal of a county approved certificate of compliance will satisfy this requirement, subject to on-site inspection and verification by the county forester. If the county forester determines that protected trees are to be removed, the certificate of compliance will be converted to a tree permit, subject to payment of appropriate permit fees and tree replacement, in accordance with section 72-842 of this article.

(b)

Each section of this article shall apply to residential construction except:

(1)

The area tree protection requirements of section 72-837;

(2)

The specimen tree requirements of subsection 72-843(b); and

(3)

Tree replacement requirements of section 72-842 of this article, within the buildable area. Historic tree removal for residential construction is not exempt.

(c)

Application for tree permit prior to building permit. A tree clearing permit may be issued prior to the issuance of a building permit application. It shall remain valid for one year unless extended by the application for a building permit. If no such application is tendered, then replacement of protected trees shall be required.

(d)

Optional residential tree permit procedures. At the developer's option, and with concurrence of the county forester, the following tree permit standards for residential development may be utilized:

(1)

Lots containing less than 20,000 square feet in lot area, shall contain a minimum of one tree per 1,000 square feet of lot size, rounded up to the next whole tree.

(2)

Replacement trees may be existing trees, planted trees, or a combination thereof. Existing trees remaining on the property after construction will meet this requirement as long as adequate protection has been provided during construction in accordance with section 72-844 of this article. Planted trees must consist of a variety of species.

(3)

Except for the historic tree provisions of subsection 72-843(a) of this article, tree removal on lots developed pursuant to this option are exempt from the replacement schedule set forth in section 72-842 of this article. However, a tree permit must be obtained in compliance with the requirements of this division.

(Ord. No. 02-13, § I, 7-18-02; Ord. No. 2008-25, § III, 12-4-08)