NC H1158

Authorizes the Town of Beech Mountain to adopt and enforce ordinances regulating the cutting, removal, and care of trees on both public and private property.

Requires written permits from the Town before mutilating, injuring, removing, or relocating any tree on public property regardless of size, and any tree on private property exceeding 6 inches in diameter measured 4 feet above ground.

Establishes a Tree Board consisting of five members appointed by Town Council to create, monitor, and manage tree ordinances, with members compensated $15.00 per month for attending board meetings.

Prohibits clear cutting on lots where the majority of trees are less than 6 inches in diameter and limits removal of natural vegetation to no more than 50 percent of the lot, equally balanced across the entire property.

Imposes civil penalties of $1,000 per tree for unpermitted tree removal, reduced to $100 per tree if the appellant proves the trees would have qualified for a permit, with violators on public property required to replace removed trees at full cost.