According to Section 13.24.050, a removal or major pruning is considered as development-related permit if the heritage tree interferes with proposed development, repair, alteration, or improvement of a site of the tree is causing/contributing to structural damage (excluding amenities, such as walkways, patios, pools, fire pits and fences).
Application requirements
Applicants must hire project arborists from the city-approved consulting arborist list. The arborist report for large projects outlines the requirements for a permit application submission. Heritage tree permits related to planning or building permits will also be charged for city-retained arborist expenses. Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Heritage tree removal acknowledgement and property owner authorization form
- Arborist report includes, but not limited to, a tree inventory, tree appraisal values, landscape plan, and tree protection plan;
- Proposed construction site plans;
- Schematic diagrams to demonstrate alternative designs to preserve the tree; and
- Documentation on the additional incremental construction costs attributable to tree preservation.
The heritage tree administrative guidelines outline these requirements in more details.
