Baldwin Park, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 153.165.080
- Who may prune public trees
- City employees or certified arborist contractors only
- Notice before removal
- 10 days' written notice to abutting owners
- Appeal path
- § 153.210.150
- Penalty
- § 10.99, up to $1,000 or 6 months
Summary
In Baldwin Park, only city employees or city contractors may prune or remove a public tree, and Municipal Code § 153.165.080 bars anyone from injuring a public tree by fencing it in, spraying chemicals near it, posting signs on it, or fastening wires or nails to it, with violations punishable under § 10.99.
(A) Pruning and removal. All pruning and removal of trees on public property shall be undertaken only by employees or contractors of the city. (B) Certified arborist. Persons or firms engaged in the business of pruning, treating or removing any Public Tree shall be recognized by the International Society of Arboriculture as a certified arborist. ... (F) Written notice. ... The Tree Officer shall give at least ten days written notice to abutting property owners prior to removal of any public tree.
Full Breakdown
080, PUBLIC TREE REMOVAL, TRIMMING, MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION, covers trees in the public right-of-way and other public property, such as street parkway trees. Subsection (A) provides that all pruning and removal of trees on public property shall be undertaken only by employees or contractors of the city, and subsection (B) requires any outside firm doing that work to be recognized by the International Society of Arboriculture as a certified arborist and to carry liability and workers' compensation insurance. Subsection (C) makes it unlawful to injure or destroy a public tree, listing examples: placing fences, rocks, gravel, signs or stakes immediately next to a tree; closing the ground around it with paving to less than 42 inches by 42 inches, cutting off air, light or water to its roots; piling building material around it; spraying chemicals on or around it; posting signs or fastening wires, cables, nails or screws to it; or starting a fire near it. Subsection (D) requires anyone doing nearby construction to protect a public tree with guards such as chain-link or wood fencing during the work. 100.
Violations & Fines
Section 153.165.080 carries its own penalty cross-reference to § 10.99, the general penalty section: injuring a public tree, hiring an uncertified contractor to prune one, or removing one without following the Tree Officer's process is enforceable as a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, unless the code specifically makes the violation an infraction with escalating fines of $100, $200 and $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trim the parkway tree in front of my house?
What counts as injuring a public tree?
Does the city give notice before removing a street tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baldwin Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Baldwin Park to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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