Vegetation (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

New Search

Fact Sheet canregister acomplaintby calling the Veg- etation Management Program at 683 -6821. The City may then require the responsible property owner to remove the blackberries from your property. In the case of tree limbs, ornamental shrubs, and hedges, the City suggests you work out an arrangement with yourneighbor. Generally you can trim limbs back to the property line, but you should not go into your neighbor's yard without first obtaining their permission. In addition, you will be responsible for legally disposing of all debris. VEGETATION CONTROL Cooperation among property owners plays a key part in the creation of safe livable neighborhoods. By talking and working together, neighbors can provide greater fire safety than they can by work- ing independently. Using common sense, neighbors can achieve effective defensible space along their common property lines and ensure a continuous adequate access for emergency vehicles. The City of Eugene has both a Tree Preservation Code and several vegetation ordinances that address a number of fire safety concerns. The following information explains how these codes apply to the most frequently voiced vegetation concerns of city residents. Although these codes do not address all possible fire hazards, they may be used as a guide for what is required to provide an adequate level of fire protection under average conditions. What are the regulations about removing trees from my property? Ifyourlotis kssthan20,000 squarefeet and has a house on it: The owner may remove trees without a permit. However, checkyourdeed and call yourhomeowner s association to see if there are any prohibi- tive restrictions. Any such prohibitions are enforced by the homeowners association, not the City. If the lot is kss than 20,000 square feet, but there is no house: The owner may remove all dead trees and all live trees less than 8 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) without a permit. The owner must obtain a permit to remove any tree over 8 inches DBH. Again, check your deed and call your homeowners association to see if there are any restrictions. If the lot is greater than 20,000 square feetwith orwithoutahouse: year, the owner may remove all dead trees, all live trees less than 8 inches DBH, and up to five trees greater than 8 inches DBH without a permit. An owner must obtain a permit to remove more than five live trees greater than 8 inches DBH in any calendar year. Also, check your deed and call your homeowners association to see if there are any restrictions. Apermit application canbe obtained free of charge from the Public Works Mainte- nance office at 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97402 -4199, or by calling 687- 5220.Officehours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am. to 5:00 pm. What can I do if my neighbor's trees or shrubs overhang my yard? There is no City Code thatprohibits trees and shrubs hanging over property lines un- less they are blackberries. Ifyouhave black- berries encroaching onto your property, you What can I do about a dead tree in my neighbor's yard? Large dead trees may be considered a public nuisance under section 6.010 of the City Code. Property owners are responsible for removing nuisance trees. If the owner refuses, you can call the City's Urban For- ester at 687 -5359 to have the City enforce its removal. Is it legal to pile cut branches and brush in residential neighborhoods? Although there is no City Code that spe- cifically prohibits piles of cut vegetation, section 6.515 states thatvegetation posing a fire hazard because it is near other combus- tibles is a public nuisance. Typically the City's Vegetation Management Program does not enforce the removal of piles of cut vegetation unless they are obstructing a public way or abutting a common property line or structure. If your neighbor has piled brush along your property line or fence, you may call 683 -6821 to have the City enforce its removal. Who do I call if the lot next to MY property is overgrown with brush or blackberries? Public Works Maint enance City of Eugene 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard Eugene, OR 97402 (503) 687 -5220 Who do I call if the lot or yard next to my property is covered with tall grass or weeds? Section 6.515 of the City Code specifi- cally prohibits grass and weeds over 10 inches high throughout the entire year on developed property and from June 15th through September 30th on vacant prop- erty. The City's Vegetation Management Program staff systematically inspects all vacant property for compliance during the specified period and abates violations with- out further notice to the property owners. However, violations ondevelopedproperty are not enforced unless there is a complaint from the public. Residents can call 683- 6821 to register complaints about grass and weeds on developed lots. Who is responsible for cutting grass, weeds, and brush along roadways or in easements? Section 4.832 of the City Code requires owners to maintain vegetation in the public right -of -way that abuts their property. This includes vegetation growing along both graveled and paved alleys as well as all public roads. Easements are legal access agreements for certain parties to cross another's property. Since such agreements do not convey ownership rights or respons i- bilities, control of vegetation along these easements is the respon- sibility of the property owners .. There are no City Codes specificallytt.. prohibiting brush or blackberries on I ' either developed or vacant property. Section 6.515 does prohibit blackberries +*:tip TK and other vegetation that is near other combustibles or is being' used for habitation by trespassers. ,� + If transients are camping in such vege- tation, call the Vegetation Management f Program at 683 -6821 to register a complaint. The City may require ' the responsible property owner to �• remove the offending vegetation. Otherwise, residents can call "No Fire Central" at 687 -5411 to see if the Fire Marshal's Office can work with the responsible property owner to voluntarily remove the blackberries or brush. i