National City, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 13.18.110(A) of the National City Municipal Code says trees in public street parkways are pruned by city forces or city subcontractors and not by private property owners. Public utility companies can prune them without written permission from the city when the tree creates a significant possibility that safe, efficient and reliable service would be impaired. Pruning must conform to ISA standards, ANSI A300 and ANSI Z133 best management practices. Topping of any city tree is prohibited unless the city manager authorizes it in writing after consultation with the parks superintendent.

Section 13.18.110(C) requires written permission from the city engineer or designee before anyone plants, cuts down, trims, prunes, removes or in any way interferes with the natural growth of a city tree in a parkway, street right-of-way or other city property. If the city engineer refuses the desired action, the applicant can request a hearing before the parks, recreation, and senior citizens' advisory board. Woody and leaf material from pruning must be recycled consistent with Chapter 9.52 (§ 13.18.110(B)). Maintaining shrubs and ground cover and watering or fertilizing city trees needs no written permission (§ 13.18.110(E)).

Section 13.18.040(I) defines excessive pruning: typical maintenance removes no more than twenty-five percent of a tree's major branches or canopy volume in a single year, and pruning beyond that is prohibited unless the tree manager approves it.

Private trees are handled in the Land Use Code (Title 18). Section 18.44.150(A)(3) says growth in landscaped areas should be controlled so it does not interfere with maintenance or repair of a public utility, restrict pedestrian or vehicular access, or reduce visibility into a traffic hazard. Under § 18.44.160, a private tree that interferes with utility poles, lines or wires along a public street, sidewalk or intersection, or with people lawfully using them, or that has roots posing a hazard to pedestrians on a sidewalk, is a public nuisance. Public works serves notice directing abatement within seven days, can trim or remove the tree itself, and bills the owner the cost.