Monterey, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Monterey City Code § 37-4 puts responsibility for clearance pruning of right-of-way trees on the City itself: the City Forester can order any tree in the City right-of-way removed, cut, pruned or trimmed at no cost to the adjoining property owner where it is potentially dangerous to health and safety, where trimming is needed to encourage proper growth under the ANSI/Z133 Tree Care Standards, or simply to provide the visibility and clearance vehicles and pedestrians need. This sits inside Chapter 37, Preservation of Trees and Shrubs, which otherwise makes it unlawful for anyone else to cut, prune, top, damage or remove a public tree without a City Forester permit under § 37-3.

Utility companies get their own narrow lane: § 37-5 lets them make emergency cuts to protect service, reported to the City Forester within 72 hours, while § 37-6 requires 24 hours' advance notice to the City Forester for non-emergency utility trimming, done to the ANSI/Z133 Utility Trimming Standards. A resident who wants a City right-of-way tree trimmed for street or sidewalk clearance therefore requests it from the City Forester rather than doing the work themselves; unpermitted cutting of a public tree, including for clearance, is a violation under § 37-3 regardless of the good intentions behind it.