Landscaping Rules in Whittier, CA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Whittier, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Whittier residents and utility companies can't trim, prune or remove a street tree on their own. Section 12.40.050 lets anyone who owns property next to a parkway tree, or who maintains overhead wires or underground conduits near one, file a written request with the parks director, who decides whether to authorize the work under standards in the city's parkway tree manual.
Whittier Rules For Trimming Parkway Trees
Some RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code § 12.40.050(A)-(B)
A.Permits required in this chapter shall be issued as outlined in the parkway tree manual by the director.B.Any person maintaining any overhead wires or pipes or underground conduits along or across any street, park, boulevard, alley or public place of the city, or owning any property abutting upon any street, park, or public place of the city, desiring to have any tree, shrub or plant cut, tri...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a tree, shrub or plant from a Whittier street, park, alley or public place requires a permit from the parks director, granted at the director's discretion and valid only thirty days, under Section 12.40.040. Even a hazardous tree on private property that threatens a public right-of-way can't be cut down without ten days' written notice to the owner, unless a certified arborist confirms it's already dead.
Whittier Permit Required To Remove Trees
Significant RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code §§ 12.40.040, 12.40.100(B)
No person shall cut, trim, prune, plant, remove, injure or interfere with any tree, shrub or plant upon any street, park, alley or public place of the city without a permit therefor from the director. The director is authorized to grant such permission in his/her discretion, but no such permit shall be valid for a longer period than thirty days after its date of issuance. ... However, no such t...
Weed Ordinances
Whittier does not set a numeric weed-height limit; section 8.24.010 of the Municipal Code instead bans letting weeds, rubbish or other material accumulate on any lot, occupied or vacant, if the growth creates a fire hazard, shelters rats or vermin, produces irritating pollen, or otherwise endangers neighboring property. Any lot in that condition is declared a public nuisance, and the director of public works can order it cleaned under Chapter 8.24's weed abatement procedure.
Whittier Weed and Rubbish Abatement Rule
Some RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code § 8.24.010
No person, whether the same be the owner, agent or person in control of any inhabited or uninhabited lot, piece or parcel of land within the city, shall maintain such premises or allow the same to be maintained in a condition in which weeds, rubbish or any materials exist on said premises, which constitute a fire hazard or which may provide a refuge for rats or other vermin, or may produce poll...
Water Restrictions
Whittier prohibits landscape irrigation that lets water run off onto streets, sidewalks, or neighboring property. Municipal Code Section 13.43.250 bars runoff from overspray or low-head drainage and lets the city set local penalties for violations.
Whittier Bans Landscape Irrigation Runoff and Overspray
Some RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code § 13.43.250
A.Local agencies shall prevent water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation by prohibiting runoff from leaving the target landscape due to low head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, walks, roadways, parking lots, or structures. Penalties for violation of these prohibitions shall be established locally.B...
Rainwater Harvesting
Whittier's landscaping code encourages, but does not mandate, rainwater capture. Section 13.43.200 recommends rain gardens, cisterns, and other harvesting systems, and sets a one-inch, 24-hour storm capture target for landscape projects covered by the water-efficient landscaping chapter.
Whittier Encourages Rainwater Harvesting in Landscapes
Light RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code § 13.43.200
A.Stormwater management practices minimize runoff and increase infiltration which recharges groundwater and improves water quality. Implementing stormwater best management practices into the landscape and grading design plans to minimize runoff and to increase on-site rainwater retention and infiltration are encouraged. ... C.All planted landscape areas are required to have friable soil to maxi...
Artificial Turf
Whittier's vacant-lot maintenance code, Section 8.08.026, lets owners install durable, high-quality synthetic turf instead of drought-tolerant planting on qualifying vacant lots. The turf still needs the parks director's prior review and approval under Section 13.42.120, and it must be kept in good condition at all times. The allowance applies to vacant lots, not routine occupied-yard landscaping.
Whittier Allows Synthetic Turf on Vacant Lots
Some RestrictionsWhittier Municipal Code § 8.08.026(A)(1)(a)
The property owner shall landscape the entire lot using drought tolerate or xeriscape material that requires little to no water after the first three years of growth. Durable, high quality, synthetic turf may also be used as an alternative. The landscape material selected shall be reviewed and approved to the satisfaction of the director of parks, recreation and community services prior to inst...
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