Bakersfield regulates street tree trimming and maintenance under BMC Chapter 12.40 (Trees). A permit from the Recreation and Parks Department is required to trim, prune, or remove trees in the public right-of-way. Adjacent property owners are typically responsible for maintaining parkway trees but cannot prune them without city approval.
Under BMC Chapter 12.40, all trees in the public right-of-way (parkway strips, medians, and city parks) are under the jurisdiction of the Recreation and Parks Department. Property owners adjacent to a street tree are responsible for watering and basic care but must obtain a permit before any pruning, topping, or removal. Work must be performed to ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) standards, and topping or severe heading cuts are prohibited. Private trees on private property can generally be trimmed by the owner without a permit, but branches overhanging public sidewalks must be kept clear to 8 feet and streets clear to 14 feet for vehicle clearance. PG&E handles trimming near electrical lines under state-mandated vegetation management.
Unpermitted pruning or damage to a street tree can result in fines and restitution covering the appraised value of the tree (often thousands of dollars for mature specimens). Failure to maintain clearance over sidewalks and streets is an infraction enforced by Code Enforcement.
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