Imperial County, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

The Imperial County Land Use Ordinance (Title 9) does not establish a tree-trimming permit program for private property, and no county heritage-tree pruning rule was found in the code. Maintenance trimming of trees in a private yard is generally unregulated by the county. Two limits do apply. First, under Title 9 Division 18, 'weeds and other vegetation' includes brush and woody growth that becomes, when dry, a fire menace to adjacent improved property or is otherwise noxious or dangerous; vegetation left in that condition can be declared a public nuisance and ordered abated (§91801.00, §91802.01). Second, Title 9 Division 3 requires that obstructions within street rights-of-way be removed as specified by Imperial County Public Works, which can reach limbs overhanging public roads. Required landscaping installed as a condition of development must also be maintained to meet the intent of the landscaping chapter and state law (§90302.08). For trees that interfere with overhead electric lines, utility line-clearance trimming is handled by the utility under state safety rules rather than the county. Boundary-tree disputes between neighbors are a civil matter under California Civil Code, not a county permit issue.