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Orange council adopts tree-cutting permit ordinance; fee schedule tabled for nonprofit/disaster language
Summary
The Orange City Council approved an ordinance requiring permits, insurance and bonding for tree‑cutting and trimming services; council voted to table the related permit-fee ordinance to craft language for nonprofits and disaster waivers.
The Orange City Council on May 26 approved a second-reading ordinance (new Article 4.18000 in Chapter 4) that requires contractors hired to cut, trim or remove trees to obtain a city permit and to meet insurance and bonding requirements.
City staff explained the ordinance covers cutting or removal performed by anyone other than the property owner, a utility or a governmental entity and requires permitting when debris piles exceed four feet high by four feet wide by six feet long on residential property or any-sized piles on commercial property. "The way the tree cutting and or tree trimming service is defined in the ordinance says means the cutting, trimming, pruning and or removal of trees or portions of trees by anyone other than the property owner, a utility company or governmental entity that results in a pile stack that measures more than four feet high by 4t wide by 6 ft long on an occupied residential property or a power stack of any size on commercial or industrial property," a city staff member (identified in the meeting as "Mr. N.") said.
Council members raised concerns about volunteer and nonprofit groups that perform post-storm cleanups. Some members suggested waiving the fee for bona fide 501(c)(3) volunteers while still requiring them to apply for permits so staff can verify safe removal and disposal. "Wave the fee," one council member said during debate; another urged that waivers be handled through the fee ordinance or on a case‑by‑case basis.
The council approved the regulatory ordinance on second reading but moved to table the companion fee ordinance (Appendix A, section 3.1000) to allow staff and council to draft language addressing nonprofit volunteers and disaster waivers. Staff noted the ordinance already contains a provision allowing the council to waive fees as part of a declared natural disaster. Council members emphasized they did not intend to restrict bona fide volunteer relief efforts and asked staff to return with clearer language.
What happens next: The regulatory ordinance is adopted and will take effect per the ordinance text; the fee ordinance will return to council for further review and possible amendment before the permit fee is set or waived.
