Lake Havasu City, AZ Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 9.16.120(A) makes it unlawful for any person to maintain or allow a tree, hedge, billboard, or other obstruction that interferes with the use of public sidewalks, or that prevents drivers on public streets, alleys, or highways from getting a clear view of traffic approaching an intersection or pedestrian crosswalk. The rule targets vegetation and structures on private property that grow or extend into the public right-of-way's sightlines and walking surface, not just plantings located entirely within the street itself. Section 9.16.120(B) gives the City Council full and complete control over every tree standing outside the property lines of privately owned real property, meaning street trees and right-of-way vegetation are a municipal matter regardless of who planted them.

The provision traces to the city's original 1985 Prior Code section 7-1-12 and sits in Chapter 9.16 among the city's public-way obstruction and street-damage rules; section 9.16.190 makes any violation of the chapter punishable under Chapter 1.08 of the code. That means an owner who lets a hedge or tree branch grow over a sidewalk or block a corner sightline faces the same misdemeanor exposure as someone who physically obstructs a street: a fine of up to $2,500, up to 6 months in jail, or both, under section 1.08.010, with continuing obstructions chargeable day by day. Development Services and Code Compliance typically field the initial sightline complaint before referring an uncorrected obstruction for citation.