Athens City Code

1. (1) The city shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the property lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds as may be necessary to ensure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds.
2. (2) The city may remove or cause or order to be removed any tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which, by reason of its nature, is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines, or other public improvements, or is infected with any injurious fungus, insect, or other pest. This section does not prohibit the planting of street trees by adjacent property owners, provided that the selection and location of the trees is in accordance with ACC 22-21--22-24, provided nothing contained in this section shall relieve the owner of abutting property of the responsibility to prune, maintain, and remove trees lying within the right-of-way of the street.

(Code 1972, § 12-611; Code 1995, § 20-511)