Salinas, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Street tree control
- City-controlled, Sec. 35-6
- Trim/remove permit
- Director's written permission, Sec. 35-9
- Permit validity
- 30 days maximum
- Appeal window
- 5 working days to city council
- Overgrowth notice
- 10 days before city removal, Sec. 30-12
- Chapter 35 penalty
- Misdemeanor, Sec. 35-16
Summary
Trimming, pruning or removing any tree, shrub or plant on a Salinas street, parkway or alley needs written permission from the public works director, valid only 30 days. Separately, letting private trees overgrow a sidewalk or alley so they block passage is unlawful and the city can remove them after 10 days' notice.
Sec. 35-9. No person shall root-trim, trim, prune, plant, injure, remove, or interfere with any tree, shrub or plant upon any street, parkway or alley in the city without written permission therefor from the director. The director is hereby authorized to grant such permission at his discretion, but no such permit shall be valid for a longer period than thirty days after the date of issuance. Any request for permission to remove any tree from any street in the city shall be made in writing to the director clearly stating the reasons for such request. Any tree, plant or shrub removed for the benefit of the applicant, as determined by the director, shall be removed at the expense of the property owner and under the direction of the director. Sec. 30-11. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit trees or other growths on their property adjoining sidewalks or alleys to overgrow such alleys or sidewalks so as to interfere with the full and free use thereof.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 35 puts all street trees, shrubs and plants under city control (Sec. 35-6), and Sec. 35-9 makes it unlawful to root-trim, trim, prune, plant, injure, remove or interfere with any tree, shrub or plant on a street, parkway or alley without the director's written permission, which is discretionary and expires after 30 days. A request to remove a street tree must be in writing, state the reason, and, if approved for the applicant's benefit, is carried out at the property owner's expense under the director's direction; a disagreeing owner can appeal to the city council within five working days (Sec.
35-10). Utility companies with overhead wires or underground conduits that want a city tree cut, trimmed or removed must file a written request and may be required to pay the cost (Sec. 35-11). Sec. 35-17 makes clear the city's control doesn't relieve a private owner of the separate duty to keep any tree, shrub or plant in a street tree area on their property from becoming a hazard or impediment to travel or vision. That private-side duty is backed by Chapter 30: Sec. 30-11 makes it unlawful to let trees or growths on private property adjoining a sidewalk or alley overgrow it so as to interfere with free use, and Sec.
30-12 lets the city remove the overgrowth itself after 10 days' written notice to the owner, charging the removal cost to the owner and, if unpaid, collecting it by suit through the city attorney.
Violations & Fines
Violating any Chapter 35 provision, including trimming or removing a street tree without the director's permit, is a misdemeanor under Sec. 35-16. Overgrown private trees or shrubs blocking a sidewalk or alley under Sec. 30-11 are a declared nuisance; after 10 days' notice the superintendent of streets may remove the growth under Sec. 30-12 and charge the cost to the owner, suing to collect through the city attorney if the owner doesn't pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trim the street tree in front of my Salinas house myself?
What if my own tree is overhanging the sidewalk?
Can a utility company have a city street tree trimmed for its wires?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salinas
California rules heatmap·Compare Salinas to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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