Q. Are there any laws regarding dead trees in town? Or yards that are neglected?
A. Inserted below is the City of Laramie’s Municipal Code related to weeds and dead trees. If you have a specific concern, you may contact the City’s Code Enforcement Inspector at 721-5285.
Chapter 8.28 - WEEDS AND DEAD TREES
Footnotes:
--- (2) ---Editor's note— Ord. No. 1541, § 1, adopted Nov. 5, 2008, amended former Ch. 8.28, §§ 8.28.010, 8.28.020, in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 8.28 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from the prior Code and Ord. No. 780, § 1; 1984; Ord. No. 1483, §§ 2, 3, 2006.
8.28.010 - Definitions.
The definitions contained in Section 8.32.180 shall apply in this chapter as though such were set forth in full. As used in this chapter:
"Abate" or "abatement" means the action taken to remove or alleviate a nuisance, including, but not limited to cutting or digging and destroying or removing all dead trees or limbs and offending vegetation.
"Developed parcel" means any parcel of land that has been used or is being used for commercial or residential use with a principal structure covering over five percent of the parcel.
"Offending vegetation" or "offensive growth" means weeds, long grass, or other rank growth which violates the sections of this chapter.
"Ownership" means ownership of land which shall be deemed to exist from the centerline of any abutting alley, to and including the curb and gutter area of any abutting street of such lot or tract of land.
"Undeveloped parcel of land" means any parcel of land zoned for but not currently being used for commercial or residential use.
"Weeds, long grass, or other rank growth" means any plant which:
- Ordinarily grows without cultivation, or;
- Is not grown for the purposes of landscaping or food production, or;
- Has not been maintained and has become a public nuisance.
(Ord. No. 1541, § 1, 11-5-2008)
8.28.020 - Dead trees or limbs and offensive growth—Public nuisance violation.
The existence of offensive dead trees or limbs, weeds, long grass, or other rank growth on developed and undeveloped parcels which endanger safety and health, are offensive to the senses, are a threat to safety, obstruct street or sidewalk traffic, or obstruct the free use of property so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property, constitutes a public nuisance violation specific to this chapter of the municipal code.
(Ord. No. 1535, § 1, 9-2-2008)
8.28.030 - Duty to remove dead trees and limbs and offensive growth.
- Developed Parcel. It shall be the duty of every owner or occupier of a developed parcel to cut, destroy or remove, or cause to be cut, destroyed or removed, all dead trees or limbs and all weeds, long grass, or other rank growth having reached a height in excess of six inches growing thereon, and upon one-half of any road, street or alley abutting this property.
- Undeveloped Parcel. Within one hundred fifty feet of any developed parcel, it shall be the duty of every owner or occupant of an undeveloped parcel to cut, destroy or remove, or cause to be cut, destroyed or removed, all dead trees or limbs and all weeds, long grass, or other rank growth having reached a height in excess of six inches growing thereon, and upon one-half of any road, street or alley abutting this property.
- Traffic Hazards. It shall be the duty of every owner or occupier of a developed or undeveloped parcel to remove dead trees or limbs and offensive growth which obstructs street or sidewalk traffic. All dead trees or limbs and all offensive weeds, long grass, or other rank growth in developed and undeveloped areas shall also comply with and be subject to all requirements imposed under this code including Chapter 12.16.
(Ord. No. 1535, § 1, 9-2-2008)