City of Morgan Hill

The City of Morgan Hill requires a permit for the removal of trees. Below you will find the text of the City Ordinance that pertains to street tree removal.

12.28.060 Tree care, planting, removing and replacement-Permit required.

It is unlawful and prohibited for any person other than the park superintendent or his duly authorized agent or deputy to cut, trim, prune, spray, brace, plant, move, remove or replace any tree in any public street within the city, or to cause the same to be done, unless and until a written permit so to do shall have been first obtained from the park superintendent. Any such permit may be declared void by the superintendent if its terms are violated. (Ord. 150 N.S. § 8, 1963)

12.28.090 Unlawful acts designated.

It is unlawful for any person to break, injure, deface, mutilate, kill or destroy any tree or set fire or permit any fire to burn where such fire or the heat thereof will injure any portion of any tree in any public street in the city, nor shall any person place, apply, attach or keep attached to any such tree or to the guard or stake intended for the protection thereof any wire, rope (other than one used to support a young or broken tree), sign, paint or any other substance, structure, thing or device of any kind or nature whatsoever, without having first obtained a written permit from the park superintendent to so do. (Ord. 150 N.S. § 11, 1963)

12.28.110 Declaration of public nuisance-Abatement procedures.

The park superintendent may inspect any tree adjacent to or overhanging any public street in the city to determine whether the same or any portion thereof is in such a condition as to constitute a hazard or impediment to the progress or vision of anyone traveling on such public street. Any tree or part thereof growing upon private property but overhanging or interfering with the use of any street that in the opinion of the park superintendent endangers the life, health, safety or property of the public shall be declared a public nuisance. If the owner of such private property does not correct or remove such nuisance within ten days after receipt of written notice thereof from the park superintendent, the superintendent shall cause the nuisance to be corrected or removed and the cost shall be assessed to such owner. (Ord. 150 N.S. § 12, 1963)