Corona, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Property Owners Maintain
- Property owners maintain adjacent parkway street trees
- Sidewalk Clearance 8
- Sidewalk clearance 8 ft; street clearance 14-16 ft
- Permit Required to
- Permit required to remove or heavily prune any city street
- Topping (heading cuts
- Topping (heading cuts on mature trees) is prohibited
- Hillside Overlay may
- Hillside Overlay may protect native oaks and sycamores
Summary
CMC Chapter 12.40 makes property owners maintain parkway street trees with 8 ft sidewalk and 14 ft street clearance. A free Public Works permit is required to remove or heavily prune street trees.
4291. (a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation.
Full Breakdown
40 (Street Trees) makes the adjacent property owner responsible for routine trimming and maintenance of trees in the parkway strip between the curb and sidewalk. Required clearances are 8 feet over sidewalks, 14 feet over residential streets, and 16 feet over arterials and truck routes. Trimming must be performed in a manner consistent with ANSI A300 industry standards and the city's Urban Forestry guidelines. Significant pruning (more than 25% of the canopy), topping, and removal of any street tree require a no-cost permit from Public Works/Urban Forestry; unpermitted removal can result in restitution charges of $1,000 or more per tree based on appraised value.
20 and Civil Code §3479. Heritage or specimen oaks, sycamores, and other native species in hillside zones may be protected under the Hillside Development Overlay; check with Planning before pruning. PG&E and Southern California Edison line-clearance pruning is handled by utility contractors under PRC §4292/§4293.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to trim my own backyard tree?
My neighbor's branches hang over my fence. Can I cut them?
Who pays if a parkway tree damages my sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Corona
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