§ 27-452. Unauthorized removal of or damage to regulated trees.

(a)

If a regulated tree, to include heritage or champion trees as defined in section 27-448, is removed without permit, or is altered or damaged such that the likelihood for disease or premature death is increased, the tree removal contractor and/or property owner shall pay a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per diameter inch of the trunk, measured at four and one-half (4½) feet above the ground. In the event that a tree has been completely removed from the site, the measurement will be taken as the diameter of the remaining stump. In the event that no portion of a stump remains, documents such as a tree survey, building plans, etc. may be used to determine the size of the regulated tree removed. All violations of section 27-452 shall be referred to the code enforcement board for disposition.

(b)

Clear-cutting of land is prohibited. If any parcel of land is clear cut without a tree removal permit, the tree removal contractor and/or property owner shall be fined one dollar ($1.00) per square foot of the parcel area. The parcel area shall be calculated by total land area under single ownership, whether one (1) parcel or multiple, contiguous parcels.

(c)

All fines imposed by the code enforcement board for unauthorized removal or damage of regulated trees shall be paid to the City of Neptune Beach.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2006-02, § 4, 3-6-06)