§ 17.52.045. Existing vegetation.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to preserve and protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Monument by allowing for the cutting or removal of existing vegetation. This action will help citizens and businesses with fire mitigation efforts within the incorporated areas of the Town of Monument. This is necessary in order to prevent potential loss of property and lives due to uncontrolled fires, and due to the frequent dry weather conditions that occur in the area.
B.
Application. This section shall apply throughout the incorporated town limits of Monument including public and private lands.
C.
Definition. Fire Mitigation: For purposes of this section, fire mitigation shall be limited to the removal of existing trees greater than two (2) inches in diameter when done so in an effort to protect property and lives from the potential impacts of uncontrolled fires.
D.
Unlawful Acts. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove existing trees or vegetation greater than two (2) inches in diameter when not done for fire mitigation or as allowed in Section 17.52.040D.
E.
A site plan shall be submitted to the development services department prior to removal of existing trees for fire mitigation showing existing trees and those trees proposed to be removed for fire mitigation. A schedule showing when the fire mitigation will be performed and when it will be completed, and a plan for disposal of the vegetation removed for fire mitigation.
F.
Enforcement Agencies/Prosecution. This section shall be enforced by the planning department, which shall have the authority to order any person to immediately cease any violation of this section.
G.
Safety Clause. The board of trustees for the Town of Monument finds, determines, and declares that this section is necessary for the preservation and protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Town of Monument, El Paso County, Colorado.
(Ord. No. 30-2014 , 8-18-2014; Ord. No. 21-2017 , § 1, 10-2-2017)