Pleasanton, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 17.16.080 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code, Pruning and maintenance, states the standard governing all trimming of protected trees: "All pruning of protected trees shall be performed under the supervision of an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist, in accordance with pruning guidelines, established by the current versions of the ISA Best Management Practices, Tree Pruning and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 - Part 1 Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Management Standard Practices, Pruning, and any special conditions as determined by the director." This general maintenance pruning does not require a separate permit under § 17.16.010(B), but it must conform to § 17.16.080's guidelines; the director can determine that nonconforming pruning is a violation subject to the penalties in § 17.16.110.

The code separately restricts "topping," defined in § 17.16.006 as indiscriminate cutting of branches to stubs too small to assume the terminal role, and public utility trimming near protected trees carries its own rule: § 17.16.090 requires any utility installing or maintaining overhead wires or underground lines near a protected tree to notify the city and obtain an encroachment permit before pruning, follow ISA pruning standards, and get specific director approval before topping. Anyone in the business of pruning a protected tree in Pleasanton must also be licensed with the California Contractors State License Board and carry CSLB-required insurance under § 17.16.100.