Annual tree & tree trimming inspection to begin within the city
Annual tree and tree trimming inspections to begin within the city
Within the next couple of weeks, city inspectors will be conducting inspections to identify dead or dying trees and low hanging limbs over sidewalks and public streets.
For trees or limbs require corrective action, certified letters will be sent to appropriate property owners.
Property owners that receive a certified letter, will need to contact the city via the phone number or email provided in the letter and provide information on when corrective actions will be taken.
Annual tree and tree trimming inspections to begin within the city.
What are the reasons for the inspections?
- To identify trees that are dead or dying
- Trees that are dead or dying are declared to be a public nuisance
- To identify tree branches that are less than 8 feet from sidewalk surface or less than 13 feet from a public street or alley
- For the safety of pedestrians and traffic
How do city employees have authorization to go onto private property?
- York Municipal City Code authorizes the following:
- Sec. 56-48. Director of public works to inspect.
- It is hereby made the duty of the chief of police or director of public works or their authorized agent or representative to view and inspect any and all lots and parcels of land within the city, upon complaint or on such chief or director or authorized agent or representative's own initiative, in enforcement of this article. (Code 1972, § 38-15; Ord. No. 1945, § 1, 8-4-2005)
- Sec. 56-48. Director of public works to inspect.
How is a homeowner notified of the results of an inspection?
- If there is a compliance issue:
- Trees will be marked with a colored dot
- A letter will be mailed to the residence, notifying the owner or owner’s duly authorized agent outlining the concerns and next steps required
- Low-hanging tree branches that create a compliance issue:
- A letter will be mailed to the residence, notifying the owner or owner’s duly authorized agent outlining the concerns and next steps required
- If no compliance issue is found:
- Trees will not be marked with a colored dot
- A letter will not be sent
Responsibilities of expense and care:
- Sec. 56-133. Responsibility for expense and care.
- The director of public works shall have the authority to regulate and control the trimming, spraying, removal and destroying of all trees that now exist, the selection, planting, trimming, spraying, removing and destroying of all trees hereafter planted and the selecting of or planting of all shrubs and hedges hereafter planted in or upon any street, parkway, sidewalk space or other public way within the city shall be done at the expense of the property owner. The owner or occupant of the property abutting such public property shall be responsible for the routine care of such public property, such as watering and raking and disposing of leaves, twigs and other debris and the trimming or pruning of shrubs and hedges. (Code 1972, § 38-49; Ord. No. 1945, § 1, 8-4-2005)
- Sec. 56-47. Duty to trim.
- All owners or occupants of any lot, block or parcel of land within the city shall keep the lots and pieces of ground and the adjoining streets and alleys free of any growth of 12 inches or more in height of weeds, grasses or worthless vegetation and shall not permit the branches of trees along the sidewalk in front of or along the sidewalk of their property to extend over said sidewalk nearer than eight feet from the surface of the sidewalk or within 13 feet over any portion of public streets and alleys used for vehicular traffic. (Code 1972, § 38-14; Ord. No. 1945, § 1, 8-4-2005)