Definitions
Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 27-33
in effectSec. 27-33. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Adopted tree care standards are those standards of tree maintenance, trimming clearances, and methods of protection of trees during construction, as established in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard A300 (2023), National Standard for Tree Care Operations - Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Maintenance - Part 1 - Standard Pruning Practices, as may be amended; and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z133.1 (2017), Arboricultural Operations - Pruning, Trimming, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees, and Cutting Brush - Safety Requirements, as may be amended. Caliper means tree trunk diameter, measured six inches above ground for trees with up to a four-inch caliper, and 12 inches above ground for larger trees. City means the City of Huntsville and its authorized agents and contractors. Critical rooting distance means the radius around the base of a tree including both the root plate and the transport roots attached to them, in which soil disturbance is likely to affect the overall health of the tree, and root damage is likely to introduce disease-causing organisms into the tree. This radius, in feet, is approximately 2.5 times the tree's d.b.h. in inches. (See also, "root plate" and "d.b.h.") d.b.h. means "diameter breast height." For a single trunk tree, the d.b.h. is derived by measuring the trunk circumference of a tree at a point that is 4½ feet above ground on the uphill side of the tree and then dividing the circumference by 3.14. For a multi-stemmed tree, the d.b.h. is derived by obtaining the sum of the separate circumferences measured at a point 4½ feet above ground, then dividing the sum of the circumferences by 3.14. Easement-laden land means privately owned land on which an easement has been granted to the city or another entity to allow for public services such as utility distribution, water distribution and drainage, access to maintain the public services, etc. An easement is only a right of use. The grant of an easement does not transfer ownership rights. Electric power facilities refer to power transmission and distribution lines, transformers, substations, and associated equipment. Heading Cut means a pruning cut that removes a branch or stem between nodes (leaving a stub), to a bud, or to a live branch that is less than one-third the diameter of the branch or stem being removed. Hedgerow means a row of closely-spaced shrubs or bushes used to delineate space, restrict access, provide screening, or achieve a similar function. Lateral separation means distance, measured horizontally at ground level, such as between an electrical conductor and the center of the trunk of a tree. Live crown ratio means the fraction or percentage of the overall height of a tree bearing living, healthy branches. Mulch means any organic material or rock placed over the soil surface of a planting area which serves the same function as leaf-litter in a natural forest environment. Owner means the possessor of title, his agent or assignee, to the land on which particular trees stand. In the case of a tree on easement-laden land, ownership rights and responsibilities are defined in section 27-51, in the absence of other specific provisions by deed or other binding agreement. Person means any individual acting on his own behalf, or on behalf of a company, agency, corporation, or other body. Planting means establishing a tree, shrub, groundcover, vine, or other species of vegetation in a location where it is to remain for an extended period, usually the useful lifespan of the plant in the absence of unforeseen circumstances. Private land means land belonging to a person or corporate entity, and not the city or other agency of government. Public land means any land belonging to the city, including platted rights-of-way or streets and alleys. For the purposes of this definition, federal, state and county land is excluded from this category unless the city has specifically assumed responsibility for its maintenance. Root plate means the area around the base of a tree in which the roots taper rapidly from pedestal roots to small transport roots; these structural roots are constantly subjected to compression and tension during windy conditions, so damage to these roots and subsequent decay commonly leads to catastrophic failure, especially during windy weather. (See also "critical rooting distance.") Shrub, see the definition of trees and shrubs below. Tree commission means any member of the Huntsville Tree Commission as described in division 8 of article VIII of chapter 2 of this Code, or any individual, including the city arborist, assigned or contracted by the tree commission, acting in pursuit of the objectives of this article within its scope and within the bounds of law. Trees and shrubs mean all woody vegetation, whether naturally occurring or planted; rights, responsibilities, and standards applying to trees shall, from a legal standpoint, apply to shrubs as well. Urban Tree Canopy means the layer of tree leaves, branches, and stems from all publicly and privately owned deciduous and coniferous trees, forests, and understory within urban settlement areas which provide measurable coverage of the ground. Utility, private means a commercial service distributed by use of the public streets, alleys, and easements of the city by the use of facilities and fixtures located therein, but not regulated by the State of Alabama Public Service Commission. Utility, public means a service distributed by wire, pipe, or airwaves to customers, and either regulated by the State of Alabama Public Service Commission (as in the case of telephone service) or not regulated by the Public Service Commission, but established as a municipal utility (as in the case of water, electric and gas service).
(Ord. No. 04-45, § 3, 2-12-2004)
(Ord. No. 26-565, adopted 7-9-2026; published 7-15-2026)
Source: City of Huntsville, Alabama, publisher code (Municode) + enacted ordinances (City Council/Legistar)URL: https://huntsvilleal.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15729100&GUID=39AAA265-F239-42C4-80BC-55DC8A22EC4CFetched: 11/6/2026