Trimming or removing public/street trees in Long Beach requires a permit from the Director of Public Works under LBMC Ch. 14.28. Topping, heading back, stubbing, lion tailing, and pollarding are prohibited.
Under LBMC 14.28.110, any tree, shrub, or plant on private property infested with disease or insects which may spread constitutes a public nuisance. The Director of Public Works shall cause notice to be served upon the property owner directing the nuisance be removed or abated within 7 days. If not abated, the Director can authorize employees to enter the property and spray, trim, prune, treat, or remove the infested vegetation. Similarly, any tree on private property that interferes with utility poles, lines, or wires, restricts traffic flow or visibility on streets, sidewalks, or intersections, or has become diseased or weakened so as to be dangerous also constitutes a public nuisance subject to the same 7-day notice and abatement process. No person shall plant trees in the parkway without compliance with LBMC 14.28. Property owners adjacent to public parkways are responsible for tree maintenance in those areas.
Failure to abate within 7 days of notice allows the City to perform the work and bill the property owner. Costs for City-performed tree work are charged to the property owner and may be placed as a lien if unpaid.
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations. Front-yard structures must comply w...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday inflatables. Size, lighting, and motor noise are not separately regulated, though general LBM...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance regulating the display window or brightness of residential holiday lights. Light trespass is enforced only under LBMC Sectio...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach requires Building and Safety permits for built-in outdoor kitchens that include gas piping, electrical wiring, or plumbing under LBMC Chapter 18.0...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential wood-fired smokers or pizza ovens. Smoke nuisance is enforced under LBMC Section 8.80 (n...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers over 1 pound on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings under California Fire C...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle tree trimming.
See how Long Beach's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.