TITLE 15. PARKS AND RECREATION
CHAPTER 15-200. FAIRMOUNT PARK
§15-203. Street Trees. [5]
(1) The Fairmount Park Commission ("Commission") shall
have exclusive custody and control of and responsibility for the street trees on
the streets of Philadelphia and shall make rules and regulations consistent with
this Section 15-203 regarding the planting, setting out, removal, maintenance,
protection and care of said trees as are necessary. The Commission may grant
permission to individuals, groups or firms to perform such services either
voluntarily or by contract. Such rules and regulations shall also prohibit any
action deemed to be detrimental to the life of said trees.
(2) (a) The
Commission shall, itself or by contract, provide maintenance for all street
trees whether abutting private or public property including, but not limited to,
trimming, pruning and spraying (as necessary) of all street trees. The
Commission shall by regulation adopt a schedule for such maintenance, and may
for that purpose adopt any commonly accepted national arborculture standards for
maintenance. No costs shall be charged to an abutting private property owner for
any street tree maintenance unless expressly authorized by ordinance of City
Council.
(b) Council hereby finds that in providing by regulation for
the maintenance of street trees, the Commission should adopt commonly accepted
national arborculture standards for such maintenance.
(3) The Commission
shall be responsible for taking appropriate action to eliminate dangerous
conditions caused by dead, dying, dangerous or diseased street trees whether
abutting private or public property. The Commission shall, by regulation, adopt
procedures by which it shall carry out that responsibility. Such regulations
shall provide for the Commission's receipt of written notification of
dangerous street tree conditions, and for the Commission's response to
such notification, including the performance of inspections and other actions as
the Commission deems necessary, within such time frame as the Commission shall
determine is reasonable. No costs shall be charged to an abutting private
property owner for any street tree removal unless expressly authorized by
ordinance of City Council.