reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 2-14-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-3 - Term of office - Vacancies.

§ 2-14-3. Term of office — Vacancies.A tree warden whose appointment is approved by the director of environmental management holds office until the first day of March in the year following his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed and approved as provided in § 2-14-2. Any vacancy that may occur in the office of the tree warden of any city or town, from any cause, shall be filled by the town council of the town or by the mayor of any city, as the case may be, by the appointment of some person to serve as tree warden for the remainder of the term, and the appointment is subject to the approval of the director. If the town council of any town, or the mayor of any city, fails within sixty (60) days to appoint a tree warden as required by § 2-14-2 and this section, the director shall appoint some resident of the town or city to act as tree warden until an appointment is made by the town council or the mayor, as the case may be, and approved by the director as provided in § 2-14-2.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-3.
RI Gen L § 2-14-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-4 - Deputies - Compensation of warden and deputies.

§ 2-14-4. Deputies — Compensation of warden and deputies.A tree warden may appoint any number of deputy tree wardens that he or she deems expedient and may at any time remove them from office. The tree warden and his or her deputies shall receive any compensation for their services that the town or city council may determine.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-4.
RI Gen L § 2-14-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-5 - Trees under control of warden - Entry on private property.

§ 2-14-5. Trees under control of warden — Entry on private property.The tree warden in a town or city has the care and control of all trees and shrubs, in whole or in part within the limits of any public road or grounds and within the limits of his or her town or city, except those on roads under the control of the department of transportation and those in public parks or grounds which are under the jurisdiction and control of the department of environmental management or the park commission of any town or city. The tree warden may assume the care and control of trees or shrubs in any public park if requested, in writing, by the department of environmental management or the park commission of any city or town. The care and control extends to any limbs, roots or parts of trees and shrubs that extend or overhang the limits or bounds of any public road or grounds, and the tree warden, or his or her agent, or an authorized agent of the department of transportation, or an authorized agent of the department of environmental management, or an authorized agent of the park commission of any town or city, may enter upon private property when necessary to exercise care and control.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 2; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 100; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, §§ 2, 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-5.
RI Gen L § 2-14-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-6 - Town or city forest areas - Supervision by department of environmental management.

§ 2-14-6. Town or city forest areas — Supervision by department of environmental management.The tree warden has charge of and is responsible for the management of all town or city forest areas, including the setting out of trees and the care and protection of the trees, except those areas specifically exempted in § 2-14-5. When the town or city council requests the department of environmental management to give general supervision over its town or city forests, the tree warden shall follow those recommendations and cooperate closely with the department.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 13; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-6.
RI Gen L § 2-14-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-7 - Powers and duties of wardens.

§ 2-14-7. Powers and duties of wardens.The tree warden shall expend all sums which are appropriated for the setting out, care and maintenance of trees and shrubs on roads and public places under his or her control. He or she shall enforce all provisions of law for the preservation of those trees and shrubs and may make suitable regulations governing the care and preservation of those trees and shrubs as he or she may deem expedient, and those regulations are subject to the approval of the town or city council.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-7.
RI Gen L § 2-14-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-8 - Removal and pruning of trees.

§ 2-14-8. Removal and pruning of trees.Whenever, in the opinion of the tree warden, it is necessary to remove or prune any tree or shrub under his or her control, he or she may cause the tree or shrub to be removed or pruned at the expense of the town or city, and the town council or city council shall order paid to the person performing the work any reasonable compensation that may be determined and approved, in writing, by the tree warden. Unless the condition of the tree constitutes an immediate public hazard, he or she shall, at least five (5) days before the removal, post in the immediate vicinity a suitable notice stating his or her intention to remove the tree. If any person, firm or corporation objects to the removal, he or she or it may appeal to the tree warden, in writing, who shall hold a public hearing at some suitable time and place after giving reasonable notice of the hearing to all persons known to be interested and posting a suitable notice in the immediate vicinity. Within three (3) days after the hearing, the tree warden shall render his or her decision granting or denying the appeal. The department of transportation, the department of environmental management, and the park commission of any town or city have the right to remove or prune any tree or shrub at their own expense, but prior to the removal of any tree shall post a suitable notice in the immediate vicinity of the tree and, if requested, hold a public hearing and either grant or deny the appeal.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 4; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 100; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, §§ 2, 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-8.
RI Gen L § 2-14-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-9 - Suppression of pests and diseases.

§ 2-14-9. Suppression of pests and diseases.In any case where the town or city council requests the department of environmental management to give general supervision over its town or city forest in the suppression of insect pests and tree diseases, the tree warden shall follow those recommendations and cooperate closely with the department of environmental management.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 14; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 14; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 160; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-9.
RI Gen L § 2-14-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-10 - Local appropriations.

§ 2-14-10. Local appropriations.Each town or city may appropriate annually sums of money to be expended by the tree warden of a town or city in the planting, trimming, spraying, care, and preservation of shrubs or ornamental or shade trees within the limits of any public highway or grounds under his or her control and, at the discretion of the tree warden with the written consent of the owner, upon land adjoining any public highway or grounds, if not more than twenty (20) feet from the highway or grounds, for the purpose of shading or ornamenting highway or grounds.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-10; P.L. 2006, ch. 564, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-14-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-11 - Application to Providence.

§ 2-14-11. Application to Providence.The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the city of Providence, and this chapter shall in no way affect the provisions of chapter 1479 of the public laws, 1907, entitled "An act providing for the care and preservation of shade trees, and for other purposes, in the city of Providence," as amended by chapter 693 of the public laws, 1925. The appointment of a tree warden for the city of Providence is approved by the director of environmental management, as provided in § 2-14-2.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 15; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 15; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-14-11.
RI Gen L § 2-14-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-14 - Tree Wardens|Section 2-14-12 - Application to West Greenwich.

§ 2-14-12. Application to West Greenwich.The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the tree warden of the town of West Greenwich who was appointed prior to July 1, 1986 and has served continuously as the tree warden since that date.History of Section.P.L. 1999, ch. 208, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 328, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-15-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-1 - Registration of wood cutting operations.

§ 2-15-1. Registration of wood cutting operations.No person, firm or corporation, or any authorized agent of that person, firm or corporation, shall cut or saw standing or growing trees, shrubs or vegetation for commercial forest products, other than for the owner's own domestic use, unless the person, firm or corporation is registered as a woods operator with the department of environmental management. Application for a registration certificate shall be made, in writing, on or after July 1 of each year on forms prepared by the department of environmental management accompanied by a fee as authorized by regulation in § 2-10-3.1 for each certificate, and all registration certificates shall expire on June 30 of the year following their issuance. Funds collected from registration fees as provided in this section shall be deposited within the state forestry fund as provided for in § 2-10-3.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 281, § 27; P.L. 1932, ch. 1928, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 223, § 8; G.L., ch. 223, § 11, as redesignated by P.L. 1940, ch. 914, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-1; P.L. 1958, ch. 172, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 23, § 5.
RI Gen L § 2-15-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-2 - Reports to department - Suspensions.

§ 2-15-2. Reports to department — Suspensions.Before any person, firm or corporation cuts or saws, as provided in this chapter, he or she shall at least five (5) days prior to the cutting or sawing notify the department of environmental management, on forms prepared by the department, of the location of the area and/or property. The five (5) day notice contained in this section may be reduced to any length of time, including a complete waiver of the five (5) day notice by the department, if in the discretion of the department the reduction is warranted. Failure to give the required notice is considered sufficient cause to suspend a registration certificate for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days. No suspension becomes effective unless the person, firm or corporation which is alleged to have failed to give the required notice has been notified of the alleged failure and has also had an opportunity to be heard. Any person, firm, or corporation, or any authorized agent of any person, firm or corporation shall utilize best management practices while harvesting trees as provided for in this chapter. Administrative fees for the filing of five (5) day notices shall be collected as provided for in § 2-10-3.1 and deposited within the state forestry fund as provided for in § 2-10-3.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 281, § 27; P.L. 1932, ch. 1928, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 223, § 8; G.L., ch. 223, § 11, as redesignated by P.L. 1940, ch. 914, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-2; P.L. 1958, ch. 172, § 1; P.L. 1961, ch. 182, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 23, § 5.
RI Gen L § 2-15-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-3 - Violations.

§ 2-15-3. Violations.Any person, firm or corporation or agent who cuts or saws standing or growing trees, shrubs, or vegetation for commercial forest products from any location without first receiving a registration certificate shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 281, § 27; P.L. 1932, ch. 1928, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 223, § 8; G.L., ch. 223, § 11, as redesignated by P.L. 1940, ch. 914, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-3; P.L. 1958, ch. 172, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 276, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-15-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-4 - Exemptions from §§ 2-15-1 - 2-15-3.

§ 2-15-4. Exemptions from §§ 2-15-1 — 2-15-3.The provisions of §§ 2-15-1 — 2-15-3 shall not be construed to mean the cutting of shade trees or shrubs, or the cutting or sawing on single holdings of less than five (5) acres or to woodland owners who cut or saw, for sale to others, no more than five thousand (5,000) board feet or twenty-five (25) cords of the items described in § 2-15-1 in any one registration year.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 281, § 27; P.L. 1932, ch. 1928, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 223, § 8; G.L., ch. 223, § 11, as redesignated by P.L. 1940, ch. 914, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-4; P.L. 1958, ch. 172, § 1; P.L. 1961, ch. 182, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 23, § 5.
RI Gen L § 2-15-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-5 - Removal of injurious plants.

§ 2-15-5. Removal of injurious plants.The tree warden, the department of transportation, the department of environmental management or the park commission of any town or city or any state agency, may cause to be removed any trees or other plants within the limits of public highways or grounds under their respective jurisdiction, that are injurious plants or are obnoxious as hosts of insects or fungus pests. Any tree removed for any reason except for interference with public health or safety, within the limits of public highways shall be replaced by the state agency removing the tree as soon as weather conditions permit.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 5; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 100; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, §§ 2, 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-5; P.L. 1983, ch. 129, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-15-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-6 - Injuries to trees and shrubs prohibited.

§ 2-15-6. Injuries to trees and shrubs prohibited.(a) No person shall, without the consent of the tree warden, the department of transportation, the department of environmental management, or the park commission of any town or city use climbing spurs for the purpose of climbing ornamental or shade trees, and no person or agent of a firm or corporation shall remove, cut down, prune, wilfully injure, or deface any shrub or tree within the limits of any public way or grounds without the written permission of the tree warden, or the department of transportation, or the department of environmental management, or the park commission of any town or city.(b) Any person, firm or corporation removing or cutting down a tree located along a state or municipal highway shall replace the tree with a hardy young tree of a similar kind in the same general location of the tree cut down or removed.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 7; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 100; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, §§ 2, 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-6; P.L. 1987, ch. 333, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-15-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-7 - Throwing of debris prohibited.

§ 2-15-7. Throwing of debris prohibited.(a) No person, or agent of a firm or corporation, shall:(1) Deposit or throw any advertisement within the limits of any public way or grounds, or upon private premises or property, unless the advertisement is left at the door of the residence or place of business of the occupant of the premises or property;(2) Throw, dump, or deposit or cause to be thrown, dumped, or deposited bottles, glass, crockery, cans, scrap metal, junk, paper, garbage, old automobiles or parts, refuse of whatever nature, or any noxious thing on the public highway or within the limits of the highway right-of-way, or on lands or waters adjoining a public highway, without the consent of the owners of those lands or waters; or(3) Throw, dump, or deposit or cause to be thrown, dumped, or deposited refuse or noxious things over the sides or approaches of any bridge or culvert into any stream or watercourse.(b) The tree warden, department of transportation, the department of environmental management, or the park commission of any town or city, as the case may be, may provide suitable locations equipped with proper fireplaces on the roadside of any public highway or on other public grounds under their jurisdiction for the building of fires, and equipped with trash cans for the deposit of rubbish or debris, the use of these locations and fireplaces to be subject to proper regulations. The fireplaces and the regulations governing their use shall meet with the approval of the director of environmental management.(c) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). Any violation shall be heard by the traffic tribunal in accordance with § 31-41.1-6.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 8; P.L. 1953, ch. 3221, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-7; P.L. 1980, ch. 153, § 2.
RI Gen L § 2-15-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-8 - Permits for cutting or removal of plants or debris - Replacement of damaged or removed trees.

§ 2-15-8. Permits for cutting or removal of plants or debris — Replacement of damaged or removed trees.(a) Whenever any person, firm or corporation other than a tree warden or his or her deputy, or an authorized agent of the department of transportation, or an authorized agent of the department of environmental management, or an authorized agent of the park commission of any town or city desires the cutting or removal, in whole or in part, of any public shrub or ornamental or shade tree, or the burning of any rubbish or debris upon any public highway or in any park or public grounds, that person, firm or corporation shall apply in writing to the tree warden or the department of transportation, the department of environmental management, or the park commission of any town or city, as the case may be, for permission to do the cutting, removing or burning and shall obtain a written permit before the cutting, removing or burning shall commence.(b) When the application is made for the cutting or removal of trees along any public highway for the purpose of moving, constructing or demolishing any building, the permit shall contain a provision that the applicant shall replace any trees that are removed or in the opinion of the issuer are substantially damaged in the process at his or her own expense and file a bond in an amount and with surety suitable to the issuer of the permit to assure performance of the same. The sum of the diameter of the replacement trees shall be substantially equivalent to the sum of the diameters of the trees which were cut or removed, and shall be planted within the immediate community area.(c) Any person, firm, corporation or governmental entity that removes or substantially damages, in whole or in part, any tree on public grounds shall replace the tree with a substantially equivalent tree or trees, the sum of the diameters of which are equal to twice that removed or damaged, in the immediate vicinity of the tree removed or damaged. This subsection does not apply to a public utility or its authorized agent when the work being performed is in accordance with a written tree trimming and tree replacement program filed with and approved by the tree warden in the municipality where the work is being done or by the state forester for work to be performed on state land and in municipalities that do not have functioning tree wardens.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 9; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 9; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 100; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, §§ 2, 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-8; P.L. 1979, ch. 38, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 331, § 1.
RI Gen L § 2-15-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-9 - Control of injurious gases.

§ 2-15-9. Control of injurious gases.No person, firm or corporation owning or using or having control or charge of gas or other substance shall knowingly permit that gas or other substance to come in contact with the soil surrounding the roots of any tree, shrub or plant in any public highway or on any public grounds, under the jurisdiction of the tree warden, or the department of transportation, the department of environmental management, or the park commission of any town or city in any manner that shall injure, kill or destroy the tree, shrub or plant.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 10; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, §§ 2, 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-9.
RI Gen L § 2-15-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 2 - Agriculture and Forestry|Chapter 2-15 - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally|Section 2-15-10 - Control of injurious liquids.

§ 2-15-10. Control of injurious liquids.No person, firm or corporation shall cause, authorize or permit any brine water, oil, liquid dye, or other substance deleterious to plant life to lie, leak, pour, flow or drip on or into the soil about the base of a tree, shrub or plant in any public highway or on any public land under the jurisdiction of the tree warden, or the department of transportation, the department of environmental management, or the park commission of any town or city.History of Section.P.L. 1931, ch. 1763, § 11; G.L. 1938, ch. 225, § 11; impl. am. P.L. 1952, ch. 2973, §§ 2, 4; G.L. 1956, § 2-15-10.