Ord 2570 - TMC Chapter 18.54 "Tree Regulations" - Urban Forestry and Trees

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B. Penalties. 1. In addition to any other penalties or other enforcement allowed by law, any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter also shall be subject to a civil penalty assessed against the property owner as set forth herein. Each unlawfully removed or damaged tree shall constitute a separate violation. 2. Removal or damage of tree(s) without applying for and obtaining required City approval is subject to a fine of $1,000 per tree, or up to three times the marketable value of each tree removed or damaged as determined by a Qualified Tree Professional, whichever is greater. 3. Any fines paid as a result of violations of this chapter shall be allocated as follows: 75% paid into the City's Tree Fund; 25% into the General Fund. 4. The Director may elect not to seek penalties or may reduce the penalties if he/she determines the circumstances do not warrant imposition of any or all of the civil penalties. 5. Penalties are in addition to the restoration of removed trees through the remedial measures listed in TMC Section 18.54.200. 6. It shall not be a defense to the prosecution for a failure to obtain a permit required by this chapter that a contractor, subcontractor, person with responsibility on the site or person authorizing or directing the work erroneously believes a permit was issued to the property owner or any other person. Section 21. Ordinance No. 1758 §1 (part), as codified at TMC Section 18.54.200, is hereby amended to read as follows: 18.54.200 Remedial Measures In addition to the penalties assessed, the Director shall require any person conducting work in violation of this chapter to mitigate the impacts of unauthorized work by carrying out remedial measures. 1. Any illegal removal of required trees shall be subject to obtaining a Tree Permit and replacement with trees that meet or exceed the functional value of the removed trees. 2. To replace the tree canopy lost due to the tree removal, additional trees must be planted on -site. Payment shall be made into the City's Tree Fund if the number of replacement trees cannot be accommodated on -site. The number of replacement trees required will be based on the size of the tree(s) removed as stated in Table B. 3. The applicant shall satisfy the permit provisions as specified in this chapter. 4. Remedial measures must conform to the purposes and intent of this chapter. In addition, remedial measures must meet the standards specified in this chapter. 5. Remedial measures must be completed to the satisfaction of the Director within 6 months of the date a Notice of Violation and Order is issued pursuant to TMC Chapter 8.45, or within the time period otherwise specified by the Director. W: Word Processing\Ordinances\Tree regulations re-enacted TMC 18.54 final 3-28-18 CL:bjs Page 19 of 21