Paramount, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Chapter 12.32 of the Paramount Municipal Code defines parkway trees as trees planted in residential or commercial areas between the curb and the sidewalk, and public right-of-way trees as trees on major arterial and secondary roadways that are the responsibility of the City. The City tree representative is the Public Works Director or designee (§ 12.32.020), who administers and enforces the chapter. Public Works or its designated contractors maintain public right-of-way and park trees at all times (§ 12.32.030(A)(1)).

Owners of private property in residential zones whose property includes a parkway tree must provide adequate water to it, notify the Public Works Department of suspected hazards or maintenance needs, and landscape and properly maintain the parkway landscaping adjacent to the property. Trimming is not on that list. Section 12.32.040(A) states that no person shall remove, cut, trim, or prune, injure or interfere with any parkway tree, public right-of-way tree, or park tree.

Pruning standards. All tree pruning is done in accordance with ANSI A300 Standards and per International Society of Arboriculture recommendations. The City has the right to prune any tree on private property that encroaches on the public right-of-way, upon written notice to the property owner. Topping any public-right-of-way, park or parkway tree is unlawful. The definition covers the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the crown. Storm-damaged trees, and certain trees under utility wires, can be topped at the sole discretion of the City representative.

Commercial and industrial owners. Under § 17.44.270 owners of commercially or industrially zoned property must water and maintain their trees, follow professionally accepted pruning standards, and not permit severe trimming, topping, heading back, stubbing or pollarding. The Director of Public Works can stop work immediately by oral or written order.

Corner lots. Under § 17.44.290, within the 15-foot vision triangle at a corner lot, no tree is allowed and no fence, shrub or other obstruction can rise higher than 42 inches above the established grade.