Bellflower, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Bellflower regulates tree removal differently for public and private trees. For any tree in the public right-of-way (parkway, street, alley, or City property), Municipal Code Section 12.08.090 makes it unlawful to remove, alter, damage, repair, or replace that tree without a permit issued by the Director of Public Works or designee, and Chapter 12.16 (Encroachments) bars placing or removing trees and structures in the right-of-way without a valid City permit. The Public Works Street Trees Division manages the City's urban forest and decides on parkway-tree removals. Research of the Bellflower Municipal Code did not turn up a stand-alone heritage-tree, oak-preservation, or private-property tree-removal-permit ordinance, so removal of an ordinary tree on private property is generally not permit-controlled by a special tree ordinance - though grading, hillside, or planning conditions could still apply, and the parkway permit rule governs anything in the right-of-way. What the code does regulate on private land is neglected trees: Section 8.36.030(A)(12) declares 'Dead, decayed, diseased or hazardous trees, weeds, ground cover, and other vegetation' a public nuisance when they create an attractive nuisance or fire hazard, cause dust or erosion, diminish property values, or otherwise harm public health or safety. Through Code Enforcement and the Chapter 8.36 nuisance process, the City can require a property owner to remove or remediate such a tree.