Brentwood, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

090 places a duty on every person having charge or control of a lot or premises, whether as owner, agent, lessee, or tenant, on which trees are growing that overhang a public street, alley, or place, to trim those trees so there is a clear space of at least ten feet above a sidewalk and fifteen feet between the lowest limb or foliage and the public street, alley, or place. No permit is required for this routine maintenance trimming. If the responsible person fails, neglects, or refuses to trim the tree, the parks and recreation director has the power to have the tree trimmed to meet the section's clearance standard, and the cost of that work becomes a valid claim against the person in charge of the property, recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction.

080, which lets the director declare a street tree a public nuisance if it has become a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic by obstructing vision or impairing clearance, or if it endangers a public street, sidewalk, sewer, or waterline; the director then gives the property owner written notice to remove or control the tree, and the owner bears the cost of repairing or replacing any damaged public facility, done in conformance with Streets and Highways Code Title 22.