Fort Lauderdale Standards for Trees and Shrubs on Sidewalks and Streets

This rule establishes standards for trees and shrubs in the City: (a)A request for dedication and maintenance of all improved landscaped areas, such as rights-of-way, entranceways, and center islands, shall be submitted in writing to the city commission at least one (1) city fiscal year prior to the proposed or requested acceptance date.(b)The proper city departments shall inspect these installations prior to acceptance and shall thereupon advise the proper parties of any defect or condition of the installation which does not meet city standards. Any such condition or defect of the installation not meeting city standards shall be corrected before the proposed or requested acceptance date. Sec. 25-147. – Permit required to cut, prune, plant, etc., trees and shrubs on streets or in parks. No person shall, without a written permit from the city manager or director of the parks and recreation department, cut, prune, break, incline, injure, remove, plant or in any other way deface any living tree, shrub or vine in a public highway or park or cut, disturb or interfere in any way with the roots of any tree, shrub or vine in a public highway or park. All expenses incurred in planting or removing any trees within the lines of the street shall be paid by the owner of the trees. Sec. 25-148. – Protection for trees during construction work. In the erection or repairing of any building or structure, the owner thereof shall place such guards around all nearby trees, shrubs or vines in a public highway or park so as to effectively prevent injury to them. Sec. 25-149. – Injuring roots of trees, shrubs, etc. No person shall throw or allow to be thrown any salt water, oil or injurious substance upon any public highway or park where such material may enter the ground at the roots of any public tree, shrub or vine. Sec. 25-150. – Proposed landscape improvement on city property. All landscape improvements including planting, sprinkler systems, pools, ornamental lighting and any and all things of a like or similar nature proposed on such city property as rights-of-way, center islands, and entranceways shall be approved by the city commission. All necessary plans such as plat plans, planting plans, sprinkler plans, pool plans, and electrical plans shall be submitted and thereafter approved by the proper city departments prior to construction.