Riverside, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- RMC Ch. 13.06 (Vegetation Management)
- Street tree ownership
- City: even in parkway in front of your house
- Permit to trim a street tree
- Yes: no-fee permit from Trees & Landscaping Division
- City-managed inventory
- ~150,000 street trees + 30,000 open-space/utility trees
- Neighbor's tree overhanging your yard
- Civil matter (Cal. Civ. Code §833), not City enforced
- Sidewalk clearance
- Required by RMC 13.06: owner-maintained on private vegetation
Summary
The City of Riverside owns and maintains the ~150,000 street trees in the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb under RMC Chapter 13.06. Residents who want a private contractor to trim or remove a City street tree must first obtain a no-fee permit from the Trees & Landscaping Division of Public Works.
4291. (a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire would be unlikely to ignite the structure.
Full Breakdown
Trees planted in the parkway (the City right-of-way between sidewalk and curb) are City property regardless of who originally planted them. 06, Vegetation Management. ' Residents may not remove or significantly prune a street tree without authorization; the City confirms that no person is allowed to remove trees growing along public streets and only the City may authorize removal (typically for pest infestation, disease, public-nuisance overhang, traffic obstruction, or utility-line conflict). However, the City allows residents to hire their own licensed tree contractor by obtaining a 'no-fee permit' through the Trees & Landscaping Division.
governs (the affected neighbor may self-help-trim branches up to the property line at their own expense). 570 (Water Efficient Landscaping & Irrigation) imposes additional landscape standards for new/retrofit landscapes ≥500 sq ft.
Violations & Fines
Unauthorized removal or topping of a City street tree is a violation of RMC Chapter 13.06. The City may charge the violator the full replacement cost of the tree (frequently $500-$2,000+ for a mature shade tree) plus an administrative penalty under RMC Ch. 1.17 (typically $100-$500 escalating). Sight-line/sidewalk-obstruction violations (failing to trim private vegetation back) are processed by CEDD Code Enforcement as a public-nuisance citation, with cost-recovery if the City abates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut down the tree in my parkway strip?
Can I hire a private tree service to trim a street tree?
My neighbor's tree drops branches into my yard. What can I do?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Tree Trimming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle tree trimming.