Tree Protection in Palmdale, CA (2026)
2 verified tree protection rules for Palmdale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Palmdale's Protected Joshua Tree, Juniper Species
Significant RestrictionsPalmdale, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 14.04.030(C),(F),(G) (Definitions); Sec. 14.04.090(A) (Unlawful Activities Prohibited)
"Desert vegetation" shall mean California juniper as defined by this chapter, and other living plants identified pursuant to the California Desert Native Plants Act (Food and Agricultural Code Section 80001, et seq.) as protected or designated on any state or federal rare and endangered species list. ... "Joshua tree" means a living tree of botanical name of Yucca brevifolia, including Y. brevi...
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.
Palmdale Street-Adjacent Tree Planting Standards
Some RestrictionsPalmdale, CA, Municipal Code § 17.86.010(D)(4), (E)(2), (F)(2)
(4) Deep-Rooted Trees. Trees planted within 10 feet of a street, sidewalk, paved trail, parking area, or walkway shall be a deep-rooted species or shall be separated from hardscapes by a root barrier to prevent physical damage to public improvements. ... (2) The following species are not allowed, except in the ER, LDR, SFR 1, SFR 2, and SFR 3 zones on properties developed before June 7, 2001: (...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palmdale city rules.
Tree Protection in Los Angeles County →