Placentia, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Placentia Municipal Code § 14.12.060(b) puts the trimming duty on every property owner and occupant in possession of real property in the City of Placentia. Trees on the private property must be trimmed so there is a clearance of at least 14 feet above any street or alley and at least eight feet over any sidewalk. The same duty requires trimming so a tree does not obstruct the view of any traffic sign or device for vehicle traffic in the direction controlled by that sign or device. The section adds that property owners can be held liable for any dangerous condition of public property caused by a failure to perform these duties.

"Property owner" includes the legal owner and any lessee or authorized occupant (§ 14.12.020), so a tenant in possession shares the duty. Pruning, trimming or thinning is defined as reducing a tree using industry accepted standards, as established by the International Society of Arboriculture or the ANSI A300 Standards for Pruning. Topping, the indiscriminate cutting back of large diameter branches to stubs, is defined as a severe practice, and § 14.12.150(7) makes it unlawful as a normal practice on public trees.

City trees follow a different path. No permits are issued for pruning or removal of city trees, and all of it is done by city employees or contractors (§ 14.12.110). Attaching a rope, wire, sign or other contrivance to a city tree requires a permit or explicit approval (§ 14.12.150(2)).

A private tree that is dead, dying or weakened so that it is dangerous or detrimental to public health, safety or welfare, or to any public property or street, is a public nuisance (§ 14.12.200(2)) and is handled under Chapter 8.06 (§ 14.12.210). The director of public works or designee enforces the chapter, serves notices and can institute proceedings, and the city attorney can bring them (§ 14.12.220).