Parkway Planting: San Jose vs Santa Clara
How do parkway planting rules compare between San Jose, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
San Jose and Santa Clara have similar restriction levels.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose Public Works and Department of Transportation manage parkway-strip tree planting between sidewalks and curbs under SJMC Chapter 13.32 and Council Policy 7-12, requiring a Street Tree Planting Permit and use of approved species from the city's street tree list.
View full San Jose rules →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Planting any tree in a Santa Clara County parkway, the strip between sidewalk and curb on county-maintained roads, requires an encroachment permit and approved species selection from the County Roads and Airports approved street tree list.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Jose | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Local code | SJMC Chapter 13.32 | - |
| Permit | Street Tree Planting Permit | - |
| Steward | Department of Transportation | - |
| Reference list | Approved Street Tree Species | - |
| Maintenance | Adjacent owner responsibility | - |
| Permitting agency | - | County Roads and Airports |
| Code basis | - | Title B Division B17 |
| Permit type | - | Encroachment permit |
| Maintenance duty | - | Abutting property owner |
| Prohibited species | - | Modesto ash; blue gum |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
Do I own the parkway tree in front of my house?
No. Parkway strips lie within the city right-of-way. The trees are public assets but adjacent owners must water them and may face replacement charges if they damage or remove them without permits.
Can I pick any species I want for the parkway?
No. San Jose limits parkway plantings to species on the Approved Street Tree List. The list is matched to canopy goals, climate, infrastructure constraints, and utility conflicts under the Urban Forest Master Plan.
Santa Clara FAQ
Do I need a permit to plant a tree in my parkway in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Yes. The strip between sidewalk and curb is county right-of-way. An encroachment permit from County Roads and Airports is required, with species pulled from the approved street tree list to avoid utility and root conflicts.
Who waters and maintains a parkway tree?
The abutting property owner waters during establishment, typically the first three years, and remains responsible for routine pruning to clearance heights. Major structural pruning and emergency removal are coordinated with the County Roads tree crew.
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