Cathedral City, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 13.80.040 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code covers two situations, and the property occupant is responsible for both. The first is trees and shrubs with dead or fallen limbs or branches that present a safety hazard or restrict, impede or obstruct use of a public right-of-way, easement, sidewalk or roadway. The second is trees, shrubs and plants that grow out into or over a public right-of-way, easement, sidewalk or roadway where the growth restricts, impedes or obstructs pedestrian or vehicular use.

The duty falls on any person owning, leasing, occupying or having charge or possession of the premises in the city. The section prints no required clearance in feet above a sidewalk or street. The measure is functional: growth counts as a violation when it restricts, impedes or obstructs pedestrian or vehicular use of the public space, or when dead or fallen limbs present a safety hazard.

A related rule in § 13.80.100 treats a property maintained so as to obscure the visibility of any public right-of-way, road intersection or pedestrian walkway as a hazard to the public and a nuisance. A hedge or tree that blocks sight lines at a corner in Cathedral City can therefore be cited under that section even when it does not touch the sidewalk.

Enforcement runs through Title 13. A code compliance officer issues a notice of public nuisance and order to abate stating the corrective action and the deadline (§§ 13.90.010, 13.90.020). The notice is posted on the property and served on the record owner, tenant, occupant or agent in charge (§§ 13.90.050, 13.90.060). An appeal goes to the administrative appeals officer through a written filing with the city clerk within ten calendar days from completed service (§ 13.90.120). When the city performs the trimming, the owner of record is liable for the abatement costs, including administrative costs (§ 13.120.010).