Elk Grove property owners are responsible for trimming trees on their property and along the adjacent public right-of-way. Street-tree work on designated public trees requires a no-cost permit from the Public Works Department, and vehicle/pedestrian clearances must be maintained.
Under EGMC Title 12, sidewalks must maintain 8 feet of vertical clearance and streets must maintain 14 feet for private trees overhanging the public right-of-way. Owners who fail to trim back overgrown branches can be ordered to do so, and the city may perform the work and bill the cost. City-planted street trees in park strips and medians are considered public trees; any pruning beyond incidental clearance cuts requires a street-tree work permit from Public Works, and work must follow ANSI A300 pruning standards. The city contracts a licensed arborist for major street-tree pruning cycles. Topping, lion's-tailing, or over-pruning protected or public trees is prohibited and can trigger penalties.
Failure to maintain vertical clearance: correction order plus city-contracted trim billed to the owner. Unauthorized pruning of a public tree: fine plus appraised tree value restitution, typically $500-$5,000+.
Elk Grove, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Sacramento County.
See how other cities in Sacramento County handle tree trimming.
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