Lakewood, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 7148 declares several tree conditions a public nuisance: subsection B covers "the growing, maintenance or owning of any tree or shrub on private property where said tree or any portion thereof interferes with the use of or visibility of any sidewalk, street or intersection," and subsection C covers a diseased or weakened tree dangerous to people using the streets or sidewalks. 2 puts the duty to abate on the owner or occupier: once the Director of Public Works gives notice of the nuisance, the owner must abate it within the time specified, and if not, the Director abates it under the Chapter 3, Article IV nuisance procedure and can enter the property to spray, trim, prune, or remove the tree without prior notice if it endangers public health, safety, or welfare.

1 defines the "roadside tree area" as the dedicated street area from easement line to easement line, including sidewalks, and Section 7142 bars anyone from planting, trimming, pruning, cutting, or otherwise working on a tree there without a written permit from the Director of Public Works, issued only if the proposed work is necessary and the workmanship satisfactory. A permittee must follow the arboricultural specifications the Director sets, and Section 7145 puts enforcement of unpermitted work in the Director's hands.