Lake Charles, LA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Pedestrian clearance
- 9 feet minimum over non-vehicular right-of-way (Sec. 18-4(a))
- Vehicle clearance
- 14 feet minimum over street traffic lanes (Sec. 18-4(a))
- Parade routes
- 16 feet clearance required over parade routes (Sec. 18-4(a))
- Notice period
- 10 days after written notice before city acts (Sec. 18-4(b))
- City trim fee
- $25.00/hour minimum billed to the owner (Sec. 18-4(b))
Summary
Lake Charles requires property owners to keep trees and shrubs trimmed clear of the public right-of-way. Sec. 18-4 sets minimum clearance of 9 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets used by vehicles, rising to 16 feet along designated parade routes, and lets the city trim non-compliant growth itself at the owner's expense after a 10-day notice.
All trees, shrubs, etc. growing upon or hanging over a public right-of-way in the city or all trees, shrubs, etc. existing near a public right-of-way in the city such that their limbs or other parts may obstruct the public right-of-way or create a potential hazard shall be trimmed and kept trimmed by the owners or occupants of the private property upon which the trees or shrubs are growing or by the owners or occupants of the abutting private property when the trees or shrubs are growing over the public right-of-way so that there shall be no less than nine feet in height of clear space above that portion of the public right-of-way not used for vehicular travel and no less than 14 feet in height of clear space above that portion of the public right-of-way used for vehicular traffic. All trees along a parade route must have 16 feet in height of clear space above that portion of the public right-of-way to accommodate tall floats or vehicles used along the parade routes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 18-4(a) puts the trimming duty squarely on private property owners: trees and shrubs "growing upon or hanging over a public right-of-way" or growing near enough that limbs "may obstruct the public right-of-way or create a potential hazard shall be trimmed and kept trimmed by the owners or occupants" of the property where they grow, or by the owner of the abutting property when the growth hangs over the right-of-way. The clearance standard is specific: "no less than nine feet in height of clear space" over any part of the right-of-way not used for vehicles, and "no less than 14 feet in height" over the portion used for vehicular traffic.
A parade-specific rule adds another layer: "All trees along a parade route must have 16 feet in height of clear space" to accommodate tall floats. 00 per hour worked (or the contract amount) on top of any other fees the ordinance allows. Failure to comply with the section is punishable under the general penalty provision, Sec. 1-8. A related section, Sec. 18-5, separately caps right-of-way bushes, weeds and loose earth at 30 inches so they don't obstruct a driver's sightline, and Sec. 18-6 tightens that to 36 inches within 20 feet of a street corner, each carrying the same ten-day notice-and-bill mechanism.
Violations & Fines
An owner who ignores the ten-day written notice under Sec. 18-4(b) faces two consequences: the city trims the tree or shrub itself, whether with city crews or a contractor, and bills the owner at a minimum of $25.00 per hour of actual work (or the full contract cost), due within ten days of completion; and under Sec. 18-4(c), noncompliance is separately punishable under the Code's general penalty section, Sec. 1-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much clearance do I need to keep over the sidewalk in Lake Charles?
What happens if I don't trim my trees after the city notifies me?
Why do some trees need 16 feet of clearance instead of 14?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake Charles
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