Tree Protection in Palmdale, CA

If you live in Palmdale or are thinking about moving there, tree protection are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Palmdale has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of tree protection, and some of them might surprise you.

Protected Tree Species

Palmdale's native desert vegetation ordinance designates Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) and California junipers, plus other state- or federally listed rare desert plants under the California Desert Native Plants Act, as protected species citywide. Chapter 14.04 PMC makes it unlawful to damage, cut, or remove any of them, public or private property alike, without a City permit.

Key details: Protected species: Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) and California juniper. Governing law: PMC Ch. 14.04, Ord. 952 (1992), Ord. 1556 (2020). Prohibited acts: Cutting, mutilating, overwatering, excavating protected vegetation. Who may do removal work: Only a licensed desert native plant specialist. Penalty: Mandatory replacement within six months of adjudication.

Damaging, cutting, mutilating, overwatering, or excavating a Joshua tree, California juniper, or other listed desert plant without an approved removal permit violates PMC Section 14.04.090 and draws the general penalties of Chapter 1.12 PMC. Under Section 14.04.100, the violator must also replace the destroyed vegetation, at their own expense, in quantities sufficient to revegetate the disturbed area within six months of adjudication; if they don't, the City fronts the replacement cost and liens the property.

This is one of the stricter rules in Palmdale's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Parkway Planting

New landscaping in Palmdale must follow specific tree-planting rules near streets and sidewalks. Municipal Code Section 17.86.010 requires any tree planted within 10 feet of a street, sidewalk, paved trail, parking area, or walkway to be a deep-rooted species or separated from the hardscape by a root barrier, sets 15-gallon minimum tree sizes, and bans several species, including cottonwood, eucalyptus, and willow, from most new project landscaping citywide.

Key details: Governing section: PMC § 17.86.010. Root protection zone: Within 10 feet of street/sidewalk. Minimum tree size: 15-gallon container. Screening tree minimum: 24-inch box size. Banned species: Cottonwood, eucalyptus, willow, and 3 others.

Planting a prohibited species such as cottonwood, eucalyptus, or willow in a new project's required landscaping, or skipping the deep-rooted-species or root-barrier requirement within 10 feet of a street or sidewalk, is a Zoning Ordinance violation the Review Authority can catch at landscape plan review or final inspection. The developer or property owner must correct the planting to match Section 17.86.010 before occupancy or final approval.

The Bottom Line

Palmdale'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 Palmdale is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Palmdale'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.