eLaws | eCases | Code of Virginia | Virginia Administrative Code | Virginia Courts | Counties & Cities of Virginia | Code of Federal Regulations | United States Code |
 Norfolk
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 45. TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION
 Article II. TREE ORDINANCE

  § 45-15. Maintenance permit for work on private property.  

Latest version.

  • The director may issue a maintenance permit for activity in the resource protection area or intensely developed area in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay District when he has determined that the applicant has presented sufficient information to ensure the objectives of the zoning ordinance and the tree ordinance will be faithfully carried out by the applicant. The director shall impose such conditions and limitations as would be consistent with the terms and conditions of the zoning ordinance. If the permittee fails to carry out the maintenance program within the terms and conditions set forth in the approved management plan, the director shall revoke the same and take such action as is appropriate to remedy or restore the buffer area. The director shall be guided by the following performance standards designed to maintain the functional value of the buffer area and the indigenous vegetation located therein:

    (1)

    Trees in excess of three (3) inches in diameter at breast height (four and one-half (4.5) feet above the ground) shall not be pruned or removed except as necessary to provide minimal sight lines and vistas, and provided that where removed they will be replaced with other vegetation that in the discretion of the director is equally effective in retarding runoff, preventing erosion and filtering nonpoint source pollution from runoff.

    (2)

    Any access path in the buffer area shall be constructed and surfaced so as to effectively control erosion.

    (3)

    A three-tier riparian vegetated buffer comprised of overstory, understory and groundcover plant materials will be established and/or maintained where practical in the discretion of the director. Disturbance to the soil environment and root systems of trees to remain shall be minimized.

    (4)

    When permitted, alterations to the resource protection area or intensely developed area in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay District on city-owned property must be completed and maintained by a Virginia Nurseryman and Landscape Association (VNLA) certified horticulturist, or ISA certified arborist or ISA certified tree worker.

    (Ord. No. 41,728, § 1, 2-15-05)

(Ord. No. 41,728, § 1, 2-15-05)