Current Cupertino Street Tree Ordinance
www.cupertino.org/treeordinance
Cupertino City Council Review of Ordinance
| First Reading: | March 6, 2012 |
| Second Reading: | April 3, 2012 |
Impact of Ordinance on Residents
- Residents are no longer responsible and should not maintain ANY street tree. Even if they bought and planted the tree. (Section 14.12.080 Prohibited Acts)
- Residents cannot plant ANY tree in the public right-of-way, even if it is a semi-rural neighborhood where the public right-of-way is large, such as 9.5’ wide. There is no way to request or get approval to do it. (Section 14.12.080 Prohibited Acts)
- Penalties range from a minimum of $600 to more than $50,000 for the removal of a mature, healthy Modesto Ash. The maximum fine is $75,000. (Refer to Section 14.12.150 C.3.)
- Amount of the fine is specified in “Schedule B – Engineering” fee schedule.
- If the resident cannot pay the penalty immediately, the City may put a lien on their property. (Section 14.12.160 Financial Hardship and Lien Procedure)
- If you apply for a building permit and you do not have a street tree in the public right-of-way in front of your house, they will make you put one in. (Section 14.12.120 Condition for Development or Building Permit)
- Just because your tree is not tagged does not mean the City has not claimed it. You must consult their database to find out. (Refer to www.cupertino.org/trees and enter your address.)
Call to Action
Call or contact our City Council members and the Director of Public Works expressing your concern with this ordinance and request that they hold a public hearing to review the ordinance.
| Timm Borden, Director of Public Works | TimmB@cupertino.org | (408) 777-3354 |
| All Council members: | citycouncil@cupertino.org | |
| Orrin Mahoney | OMahoney@cupertino.org | (408) 777-3195 |
| Gilbert Wong | GWong@cupertino.org | (408) 777-3191 |
| Mark Santoro | MSantoro@cupertino.org | (408) 777-3193 |
| Barry Chang | BChang@cupertino.org | (408) 777-3192 |
| Rod Sinks | RSinks@cupertino.org | (408) 777-3194 |