STREET TREES & SIDEWALKS
Trees beautify our City, provide shade, clean the air, are home to wildlife, and offer many other benefits.
THE BENEFITS OF TREES
The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. - U.S. Department of Agriculture
If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in five years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%. - Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center for Urban Forest Research
In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension. - Dr. Roger S. Ulrich, Texas A&M University
STREET TREES / SIDEWALKS
Property owners are responsible to maintain street trees and sidewalks adjacent to their property. These responsibilities are outlined in the Streets and Highway Code, the City's Municipal Code, and various City policies. The City is proposing changes to the policies and practices governing street trees and sidewalks and is seeking feedback from the community on these changes. The following documents were prepared to outline the proposed changes, help answer questions, and provide an opportunity for community input.
STREET TREES
The City's Municipal Code currently requires adjacent property owners maintain street trees. The following materials outline proposed changes to the City's Municipal Code and provide information about street tree maintenance responsibilities, policies, and practices.
DRAFT- Municipal Code 12.20 - Street Tree and Tree Preservation
SIDEWALKS
Since 1941 the California Streets and Highways Code has required adjacent property owners to maintain sidewalks. While the City's Municipal Code has been silent about sidewalk maintenance responsibilities, the City has always required the adjacent property owner maintain adjacent sidewalks. The following materials outline proposed changed to the City's Municipal Code and provide information about sidewalk maintenance responsibilities, policies, and practices.
DRAFT - Municipal Code 12.04 - Curbs, Gutters and Sidewalks
SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS
Please let us know if you have any comments or questions about the proposed sidewalks and street trees program.
925-960-8024
