Los Angeles' Street Tree Master Plan replaces aging non-native palms (Mexican fan, Canary Island date) with shade trees as they die. LAMC §62.169 prohibits planting any tree in the parkway without a Bureau of Street Services permit, and palms are no longer on the approved replacement species list.
LA's iconic palm-lined streets are largely Washingtonia robusta and Phoenix canariensis planted in the 1930s for the 1932 Olympics. They are nearing end-of-life and provide minimal canopy or carbon benefit. The Bureau of Street Services Urban Forestry Division administers the Street Tree Master Plan, replacing dying parkway palms with shade species like Crape Myrtle, Tipuana tipu, Chinese Elm, and Brisbane Box. LAMC §62.169 makes parkway tree planting without a BSS permit unlawful. Private property owners may plant palms on their own land, but cannot do so in the city right-of-way. Removal of healthy palms requires a permit; dying or hazardous palms can be removed by BSS at city expense.
Planting any tree, including a palm, in the parkway without a BSS permit violates LAMC §62.169 and can trigger removal at owner expense plus administrative fines under LAMC §11.2.04, up to $660 per violation.
Los Angeles, CA
When protected tree removal is permitted, LAMC 46.03 requires replacement plantings. Each replacement tree must be at least a 15-gallon specimen, 1+ inch dia...
Los Angeles, CA
LAMC Article 6 (Sections 46.00-46.06) established by Ordinance 177404 requires a permit from the Board of Public Works for removal or relocation of any prote...
See how Los Angeles's palm tree rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.