Buena Park, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

For private yards, Buena Park's single-family standards (Development Code Ch. 19.1108) require vegetation to be "mowed, groomed, trimmed, pruned, and watered" to keep it healthy. For trees in the parkway (the strip between curb and sidewalk, which the City owns but the adjacent owner maintains), Chapter 12.20 (Plants and Trees on Public Property) controls trimming. Under that chapter, no person may "cut down, injure, girdle, destroy or remove any vegetation" in a parkway abutting their property, nor plant anything other than grass, without a permit from the Director of Public Works. Vegetation in the parkway "must not be permitted to exceed twenty-four inches in height above the curb or to obstruct any portion of the adjoining sidewalk or street." The City's parkway guidance lists shrubs under 24 inches and California-friendly plants as acceptable, while certain trees (ficus and cypress) are prohibited because of root and infrastructure damage. Routine City street-tree pruning is performed by Public Works; residents wanting to trim or alter a parkway tree should contact the City first to avoid violating Chapter 12.20.