All terms used in this chapter shall be as defined in the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan glossaries and as follows:
Coastal Zone. That unincorporated area of the County of Santa Cruz as defined by the California Coastal Act of 1976, Division 20 of the California Public Resources Code. This area is identified on the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land use Plan maps.
Diameter Breast Height (d.b.h.). The average diameter of a tree outside the bark at a point 4.5 feet above the highest level ground.
Person. Any individual, firm, association, corporation, partnership, business, trust company, or a local public agency as specified in Section 53090 of the California Government Code; or the state or a state agency or city when not engaged in a sovereign activity. Where a Coastal Zone Permit is required pursuant to Chapter 13.20, state and federal agencies may be required to comply with various provisions of this chapter as a condition of the Coastal Zone Permit.
Planning Director. The Director of the Planning Department or his or her authorized designee charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
Significant Tree. For the purposes of this Chapter, “significant tree” shall include any tree, sprout clump, or group of trees, as follows:
(a) Within the Urban Services Line or Rural Services Line, any tree which is equal to or greater than 20 inches d.b.h. (approximately 5 feet in circumference); any sprout clump of five or more stems each of which is greater than 12 inches d.b.h. (approximately 3 feet in circumference); or any group consisting of five of more trees on one parcel, each of which is greater than 12 inches d.b.h. (approximately 3 feet in circumference).
(b) Outside the Urban Services Line or Rural Services line, where visible from a scenic road, any beach, or within a designated scenic resource area, any tree which is equal to or greater than 40 inches d.b.h. (approximately 10 feet in circumference); any sprout clump of five or more stems, each of which is greater than 20 inches d.b.h. (approximately 5 feet in circumference); or, any group consisting of ten or more trees on one parcel, each greater than 20 inches d.b.h. (approximately 5 feet in circumference).
(c) Any tree located in a sensitive habitat as defined in Chapter 16.32. Also see Section 16.34.090(c), exemption of projects with other permits.
Significant Tree Removal Permit. A permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
Sprout Clump. Individual stems arising from one root collar and sharing a common root system. (Ord. 3341, 11/23/82; 3443, 8/23/83; 4346, 12/13/94)