Alhambra, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Alhambra's public nuisance ordinance directly addresses trees and hedges that grow into the public way. Municipal Code § 6.26.030(A)(3)(c) declares it a public nuisance for vegetation to overhang or grow "onto or into any public property, including, but not limited to, any public alley, highway, land, sidewalk, street or other right-of-way, so as to cause an obstruction to any person or vehicle using such public property." The same landscaping-maintenance subsection also reaches overgrown lawns above six inches, hedges and trees not kept in a neat and healthy condition, vegetation that creates a fire hazard, and dead, decayed or hazardous trees that cause dust, erosion or a diminution in property values.

Under § 6.26.040, anyone who causes, permits or maintains a nuisance under this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable under the citywide general penalty at § 1.12.010, or can alternatively be hit with an administrative penalty under Chapter 1.13, with each day the obstruction continues counted as a separate offense. The chapter's Article II abatement procedure lets the city issue a notice of nuisance, hold a hearing on any objection, and, if the owner still doesn't act, abate the obstruction itself and recover its costs from the property, trebling those costs under § 6.26.230. The chapter was adopted by Ordinance 4667, passed February 9, 2015.