Tree Protection in Inglewood, CA

If you live in Inglewood or are thinking about moving there, tree protection are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Inglewood has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of tree protection, and some of them might surprise you.

Parkway Planting

Inglewood restricts what trees residents may plant in the parkway strip between the sidewalk and curb to species approved on the City's Official Planting Plan. Section 5-57 requires City Council approval, on Park and Recreation Commission recommendation, for any variance from the approved list. Adjacent owners then carry ongoing maintenance duties under Sections 5-58 through 5-63.

Key details: Regulated area: strip between property line and curb. Species restriction: must match Official Planting Plan. Variance authority: City Council, on Commission recommendation. Maintenance duty: adjacent property owner (§ 5-60). Enforcing official: Recreation, Parks & Community Services Director.

Planting an unapproved species, damaging existing parkway plantings, or letting a parkway tree encroach on the street or sidewalk violates Sections 5-57, 5-59 or 5-61. The Recreation, Parks and Community Services Director can issue a correction notice under Section 5-62, and an owner who fails, refuses or neglects to remedy a noticed encroachment remains in violation until it is corrected; unresolved City-directed corrections can be enforced through the City's general nuisance-abatement authority.

Protected Tree Species

Thirteen named native species, from coast live oak to California sycamore, become protected in Inglewood once their trunk reaches just four inches in diameter, half the eight-inch threshold that applies to unlisted trees under the Tree Preservation Ordinance.

Key details: Listed-species threshold: 4-inch trunk diameter. Unlisted-tree threshold: 8-inch trunk diameter. Species count: 13 native species listed. Example species: Coast Live Oak, California Sycamore. Governing section: IMC § 12-113(D).

Cutting, damaging or removing a listed species above the four-inch threshold without a permit triggers the same penalty scheme as any protected tree: a fine equal to the tree's appraised value under Section 12-122, mandatory replacement, a misdemeanor charge under Section 1-18 per Section 12-124, and a property lien for unpaid fines under Section 12-125. Each day the violation continues is a separate offense.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Inglewood protects memorial trees dedicated by a City-recognized entity and specimen trees that define a neighborhood at any size, without the eight-inch trunk threshold that applies to ordinary trees, under the Tree Preservation Ordinance.

Key details: Governing law: IMC Article 32, Ord. 12-06 (5-8-12). Protected regardless of size: Memorial and defining specimen trees. Ordinary tree threshold: 8-inch trunk diameter. Permit issuer: Parks, Recreation & Library Services Dept.. Unauthorized removal fine: Value of tree + replacement.

Removing, disfiguring or destroying a protected memorial or specimen tree without a permit draws a fine equal to the tree's appraised value under the ISA Guide for Plant Appraisal, on top of mandatory like-kind replacement, per Section 12-122. Fines are payable to the City's Finance Office within thirty business days; unpaid amounts become a lien on the property under Section 12-125. Violations are also chargeable as a misdemeanor under Section 1-18 and support injunctive relief under Section 12-124, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Inglewood's tree protection rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Inglewood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Inglewood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.