Fullerton, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Fullerton's street trees are managed under FMC Chapter 9.06 (Public Works - Trees). Section 9.06.070 (Responsibilities of property owners) makes property owners responsible for maintaining the shrubs, ground cover, hardscape, and other landscape material in the parkway strip immediately abutting their property - including watering, weed removal, and keeping the strip clear of safety obstructions - but it specifically does NOT make them responsible for trimming the street tree itself. For newly planted street trees, the property owner must water the tree for the first three years, keep weeds away from the trunk, ensure nothing compacts the surrounding soil, and (unless placed by the City) not nail or attach anything to the trunk. Section 9.06.100 (Alteration and removal of street trees) makes it unlawful for any person to alter or remove a tree within a public area or right-of-way without a permit issued by the Maintenance Services Department. Any permit applicant must post a copy of the permit on or adjacent to the subject tree at least ten days before removal (waivable for public health and safety), all work must be done within sixty days of permit issuance (or a longer period specified by the Director), and the Director may condition removal on the permittee paying the replacement value of the tree. Permits are only issued to abutting property owners when (i) the owner shows there is a need for the work, and (ii) the persons performing the work are qualified. The City performs routine cycle pruning and unscheduled hazard pruning through West Coast Arborists using ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) standards; residents who believe a tree needs an out-of-cycle trim can request an inspection through the Public Works Department. Trees on private property (not in the parkway or right-of-way) are NOT covered by FMC 9.06; private trees are governed by Civil Code 833-834 (boundary trees), Civil Code 3479 (nuisance), and the brush-clearance / defensible-space rules in FMC Title 5 / Fire Department standards.