Property owners in Santa Paula must maintain trees to provide clearance over sidewalks (8 feet) and streets (14 feet). Trees overhanging neighboring properties must be trimmed to the property line upon request. City street trees may only be trimmed by city crews or authorized contractors.
Under SPMC street and sidewalk maintenance provisions, property owners must maintain trees on their property to provide at least 8 feet of clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets. Branches blocking street signs, streetlights, or traffic signals must be trimmed. Trees on private property that overhang a neighbor's property may be trimmed by the neighbor up to the property line under California Civil Code. City-planted street trees in the public right-of-way may only be trimmed or removed by city public works crews or authorized contractors. Property owners who damage or remove city trees without authorization are liable for replacement costs. Santa Paula's heritage citrus trees on private property are not specifically protected but are culturally significant.
Failure to maintain required clearance results in a notice with 14 days to trim. If not corrected, the city may perform the work and bill the property owner. Unauthorized removal or damage to city street trees results in fines equal to the replacement cost of the tree (potentially thousands of dollars) plus administrative penalties.
Santa Paula, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Ventura County.
See how other cities in Ventura County handle tree trimming.
See how Santa Paula's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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