Santa Monica : Tree Removal Charge
The Santa Monica City Council introduced an ordinance Tuesday night that would allow the city to charge people for removing trees, plants or shrubs from city property.
Recreation and Parks Director Don Arnett said the ordinance is necessary because the city does not have the means to be compensated for trees and other plants that are destroyed in the course of home improvement or other construction.
“Basic city policy is that no living tree is removed from the city,” he said. “Trees are a vital part of this community.”
The ordinance, which will be introduced for second reading in January, allows the city to charge the appraised value of replacing a tree, plant or shrub to the party responsible for removing it, according to City Manager John Jalili.
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