18-40.030 Exemption from Protection and Removal Regulations.
a. No protected trees meeting the standards in Section 18-40.020 may be removed until zoning clearance is granted pursuant to this article. In the following situations, protected trees may be removed without the need for planting replacement trees as described in Section 18-40.050(c), but are first required to obtain a zoning clearance:
1. The removal of dead or hopelessly diseased trees.
2. The removal of trees judged to be hazardous to life or property.
3. The removal of trees judged by a public utility company to be a hazard to the safety of high voltage power lines in accordance with Public Resources Code 4293.
4. The removal of trees that must be felled to accommodate public improvements by the City, County or public utility company.
5. The removal of trees that pose a fire safety hazard as certified by the Lake County Fire Protection District.
6. The removal of trees whose dripline falls within the footprint of a proposed single-family dwelling, garage and driveway on an existing lot where the trees cannot be reasonably avoided for construction.
7. The thinning of a stand of trees to improve the overall health of the stand. In this instance, the Planning and Community Development Director shall have discretion to approve which trees shall be removed.
b. An administrative use permit shall be issued for removal of a heritage tree meeting criteria in subsection (a)(6) of this section. (Ord. #248-2020, S2 (Exh. A))