Lake Mary Code of
Ordinances - Trees and Tree Removal
TITLE XV: LAND USAGE CHAPTER 157:
LANDSCAPING AND ARBOR REGULATIONS
§ 157.14 PERMITS FOR REMOVAL.
(A) Issuance. No arbor permit shall be issued for tree removal unless one of the following conditions exists. (1) The tree is located in a buildable area, yard area, or street right- of-way where a structure or improvement is to be placed and for which a permit application has been filed, and it unreasonably restricts the permitted use of the property; or (2) The tree is diseased, injured, in danger of falling, too close to existing or proposed structures so as to endanger such structures, interferes with utility services, or creates unsafe vision clearance. (3) Thinning of trees. The selective removal of existing trees to provide increased light and air circulation to support good forestry practices as determined by a horticultural or forestry expert such as the Seminole County urban forester, for example, the number of healthy trees a given parcel will support.
(B) Relocation or replacement. As a condition of the granting of a permit, the applicant may be required to relocate the trees being removed or required to replace the trees being removed with suitable replacement trees, somewhere within the site. Two replacement trees may be required for every tree with less than a 12-inch caliper that is removed. Three replacement trees may be required for every tree with a caliper between 12 inches and 24 inches (inclusive) to be removed. Four replacement trees may be required for every tree with a caliper in excess of 24 inches that is removed. In determining the required relocation or replacement of trees, the City Manager shall consider the needs of the intended use of the property together with a realistic evaluation of the following: (1) Existing tree coverage. (2) Number of trees to be removed on the entire property. (3) Area to be covered with structures, parking, and driveways. (4) Topography and drainage of the site and its environs. (5) Character of the site and its environs. (6) Ecology of the site. (7) Characteristics and amount of shrubs, grass, and trees proposed for planting.
(C) Permit form.
Permits shall be issued in such form as may be prescribed by the
City Manager and may set forth in detail the conditions upon which the permit
is granted. One permit may cover several trees or groups of trees as long
as the same can be clearly identified thereon; however, no permit may be issued
for more than one parcel or area of land unless those parcels or areas of
land shall be contiguous to one another.
(Ord. 153, passed 9-2-82; Am. Ord. 711, passed 8-4-94;
Am. Ord. 764, passed 12-21-95)
