Montebello, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Clearance required
- 9 ft above sidewalk/street (trees over 15 ft)
- Permit required
- to trim/prune a city-maintained tree
- Contractor
- licensed, bonded, insured; city as additional insured
- Pruning standard
- American National Standard for pruning
- Stop-work power
- superintendent may halt noncompliant work
Summary
In the City of Montebello, trees over fifteen feet tall must be trimmed so no limb, twig or leaf hangs closer than nine feet above a sidewalk or street, and shorter trees cannot obstruct pedestrian or vehicle passage at all. Trimming a city-maintained tree requires a permit from the superintendent.
No person having charge or control of any premises, either as owner, lessee or tenant or otherwise, shall allow any limb, twig, or leaf of any bush or tree growing in or upon any public street in front of such lot or premises, or upon any premises abutting such street, to interfere with or obstruct the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles along such street. Whenever any bush or tree growing in or upon any premises in such manner that any portion thereof shall overhang any sidewalk of any portion thereof shall overhang any sidewalk of any public street, or growing in or upon any such sidewalk, is greater than fifteen feet in height, the lower limbs, twigs and leaves of such tree or bush shall be kept removed at all times so that at no time shall any portion of any twig, limb or leaf hang nearer than nine feet above the sidewalk or street ... Any city resident who desires to have a tree trimmed or pruned in front of their residence may apply for a permit with the superintendent.
Full Breakdown
Montebello Municipal Code Section 12.08.100 requires anyone in charge of a premises to prevent limbs, twigs or leaves of a bush or tree from interfering with or obstructing free passage of pedestrians or vehicles on a public street. For trees or bushes over fifteen feet tall that overhang a sidewalk or street, the lower limbs, twigs and leaves must be kept trimmed so nothing hangs closer than nine feet above the sidewalk or street; shorter growth must not obstruct passage at all. Section 12.08.110 requires a city resident who wants a city-maintained tree trimmed or pruned in front of their residence to apply for a permit with the superintendent through the municipal services department, hire a licensed, bonded and insured private contractor at the resident's own expense, name the city as an additional insured, ensure all trimming meets the American National Standard for pruning, and have the contractor remove all resulting debris. The superintendent can order work to stop immediately if it violates the chapter's conditions.
Violations & Fines
The superintendent may order noncompliant trimming work to cease immediately under Section 12.08.110(C). Section 12.08.110(D) states that any violation of this section or of Section 12.08.090's tree-protection rules may be punished as a misdemeanor or infraction pursuant to Section 1.12.010, meaning up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, or escalating infraction fines of $100, $200 and $500 for repeat violations within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much clearance must my tree have over the sidewalk in Montebello?
Do I need a permit to trim the street tree in front of my house?
What pruning standard must the contractor follow?
What happens if the tree work doesn't follow the permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montebello
California rules heatmap·Compare Montebello to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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