Warmer weather is on its way!  Outdoor weather allows for walking as an alternate way of getting to where you need to go and it serves as a great recreational hobby.  With that in mind, it’s time to take a look at our bushes and trees while the leaves are still tucked away. Overhanging Branches are not only unsightly but can cause many in our community some level of inconvenience.  A lot of community members use sidewalks for pleasure and exercise. Because of overhanging branches and bushes, many of our community members find themselves unable to use our sidewalks because of overhanging branches or bushes blocking their way.  Vehicular traffic too can suffer minor damage or can be forced to find alternate routes due to low-hanging branches over roadways. Each year Swann suffers expensive repairs to their vehicles while attempting to remove our trash from the numerous dumpsters in town, many located in alleys, as they don’t have the luxury of finding alternate routes.

Chadron City Ordinance §13-114 Overhanging Branches, outlines that bushes or trees may not block Sidewalks, Streets or Alleys, “In such a way as to impede or interfere with traffic or travel.”  Overhead clearance for Streets and Alleys must be ten (10) feet and overhead clearance for Sidewalks must be eight (8) feet. Trees and bushes should never encroach on streets, alleys, or roadways from the sides.

Alleys should be cleared from the center of the Alley to at least the middle of existing dumpsters, to a height of ten (10) feet.

The Chadron Police Department will be contacting homeowners and residents in our community who’s trees and/or bushes are in violation of Chadron City Ordinance §13-114.  Your assistance in bringing any of these violations into compliance prior to that time would be greatly appreciated.

If you would like clarification regarding Chadron City Ordinance §13-114 Overhanging Branches, or if you would like a complete copy of the City of Chadron Ordinance(s) pertaining to Overhanging Branches within the City of Chadron, we would be happy to speak with you.  SSO Mark Cloyd can be contacted at the Chadron Police Department at (308)432-0510 or via email [email protected].  If SSO Cloyd is unavailable, any on duty officer will be more than happy to assist you.