§ 138-3657. Street trees.

(a)

Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to the installation, maintenance, and removal of trees in the public right-of-way.

(b)

Permit required. All tree installation and removal within the public right-of-way requires county approval. This may be reviewed as part of the site plan approval process and/or as a Type 1 - Path A (department review) process.

(c)

Installation requirements. Street tree installation shall be conducted according to the Greenbook (Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction) recommendations.

(d)

Maintenance. Owners of private property are responsible for the maintenance of trees planted in or extending into the abutting rights-of-way. The following situations shall also apply:

(1)

Where support tree staking and guying is provided at the time of installation, the stakes and guys shall be removed no later than one year after installation to prevent damage to the vegetation.

(2)

Owners of private property shall not be required to pay to remove and replant any tree that they can prove by substantial competent evidence was fatally damaged by any public utility company.

(e)

Location and spacing. In general and where practical, street trees shall be of consistent size, spacing, and like species, in order to achieve a "tree-lined boulevard" appearance.

(1)

The typical spacing for shade trees shall be between 20 feet and 40 feet on center.

(2)

Where site conditions render shade trees impractical, accent or palm trees may be allowed at a spacing of not closer than 20 feet on center and not greater than 60 feet on center, with a typical spacing of between 20 feet and 40 feet, except as otherwise approved by the county.

(3)

Minimum planting areas shall be in accordance with this division.

(f)

Tree size and species. Trees shall comply with section 138-3655, minimum plant material specifications.

(g)

Alternate landscaping location. Development and redevelopment may satisfy a portion of their tree planting requirement by planting trees in the right-of-way adjacent to the subject property subject to county approval.

(1)

Street trees shall be installed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy and shall be maintained by the owner.

(2)

Any street trees that have been removed, has died or do not meet the minimum standards of Florida #1, shall be replaced with trees by the owner.

(h)

Residential neighborhoods. Street trees shall be installed along all new local roadways within residential subdivisions and neighborhoods. This shall be reviewed as part of the site plan review process.

(i)

Streetscape plans. Street trees shall be installed pursuant to any streetscape plan that has been adopted by the board of county commissioners. This includes any streetscape plan that may be a part of a special area plan, development master plan or equivalent thereof. Street trees shall be installed by the abutting property owner or project sponsor at the time of property development/redevelopment.

(Ord. No. 18-36 , § 3(Att. B), 10-23-18)