Moreno Valley, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

40, adopted by Ordinance 923 in 2017, governs street trees, park trees and any tree overhanging a public right-of-way in Moreno Valley. 070 requires every owner of a tree overhanging a street or right-of-way to prune its branches so they do not block streetlight illumination or obstruct the view at an intersection, and to maintain a clear space of eight to 10 feet above the street or sidewalk surface, at the discretion of the agency responsible for maintaining the tree; branches overhanging the curb line on roadways must keep a 14-foot minimum vertical clearance.

Pruning itself must follow current ANSI A300 standards and International Society of Arboriculture practice, starting with removal of dead, weak, diseased or insect-infested wood, and the city retains the right to prune any private tree that encroaches into the public right-of-way. 040, the city, its community services district and its housing authority may plant, prune, maintain or remove any public tree necessary to protect safety or that damages sewers, power lines, gas lines, water lines or other public improvements. 060 separately makes it unlawful to top any street tree, park tree, or other public tree, reserving topping only for storm-damaged trees or trees obstructing utility wires, at the city's discretion. 080. 090.