HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9313INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 9313
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 19, 2010
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SUBJECT: TREE PLANTING REGULATIONS IN CITY RIGHT OF WAY
The purpose of this Informal Report is to respond to questions raised regarding tree planting
regulations in City rights of way. Listed below are the two City Codes that govern landscaping in
the City of Fort Worth.
The Urban Forestry Section in the Planning and Development Department administers the Tree
Coverage, Preservation, Planting and Maintenance portion of the Landscaping, Section 6.301,
Article 3 of Fort Worth Zoning Regulations as part of the development review process. The Urban
Forestry ordinance has the goal of encouraging the retention of existing, older trees and installing
new trees on private development sites to increase the overall tree canopy.
Chapter 33 of the Fort Worth Municipal Code governs public trees, i.e. those growing on public
highways and places within the City. It gives ownership of trees, shrubs and plants growing
between the sidewalk and the curb to the City and assigns jurisdiction over plants, trees and
shrubs to the Parks and Community Services Department. The code makes it unlawful to plant or
remove any tree or shrub on any public street without securing a permit from the City Forester.
Planting trees in the parkway is not prohibited and permits are issued with the condition that the
City's Guidelines for Landscaping in the Parkway (which are posted on the City website) are
followed. These guidelines were developed to reduce conflicts with utility lines, sidewalks and
other infrastructure and to allow for safe passage of vehicles and pedestrians.
Additional restrictions are placed on Public Open Space Easements at intersections to allow for
clear views of oncoming traffic.
When potential violations that may cause a risk to the public good are reported, the Parks and
Community Services Department's Forestry Section reviews the condition to determine if a
violation exists. If it is determined that a planting is in violation, the Forestry Section notifies the
resident who is given opportunity to prune or transplant the vegetation. If the resident is unable to
do so, the Forestry section will prune and /or remove the vegetation without cost to the resident.
When high risk violations are reported, such as total obstruction of traffic signs, immediate action
may be administered without prior notice to the resident.
Should you have any questions regarding this report please contact Melinda Adams, City
Forester, at 817 392 5705 or Richard Zavala, Parks and Community Services Director at
817 -932- 5704.
Dale A. FiTseler, P.E./
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS