Visalia, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- Visalia Municipal Code Ch. 12.20 (Ord. 2004-21)
- Clearance Over Street/Alley
- 14 ft minimum
- Clearance Over Sidewalk/Parkway
- 8 ft minimum
- Pruning Standard
- ANSI A300
- Topping
- Prohibited without Director authorization
- Removal Permit
- Required (Director of Public Works)
- Permit Validity
- 30 days (1 year for utilities)
- Sidewalk Damage Repair
- Adjoining property owner
- Appeal Window
- 10 business days to City Council
Summary
Under Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 12.20 (Street Tree Ordinance), the adjoining property owner is responsible for watering and trimming the street tree in front of their property and must keep it pruned to at least 14 feet over any street or alley and at least 8 feet over any parkway or sidewalk. All street trees must be pruned to ANSI A300 standards, and 'topping' (severe cutback of limbs larger than three inches inside the canopy) is prohibited without authorization from the Director of Public Works.
12.20.080 Trimming heights. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, property owners shall keep street trees adjoining their property and all private trees trimmed up to a height of not less than fourteen (14) feet over a street or alley, and up to a height of not less than eight (8) feet over the parkway and sidewalk. 12.20.070 Responsibility for care and maintenance. All watering and trimming of street trees for maintenance and beauty shall be the responsibility of the adjoining property owner, unless these responsibilities are fulfilled by a funding program authorized by the city, such as, but not limited to, a Homeowner's Association or through a Landscape and Lighting Act District. 12.20.050 Topping. Except as necessary to insure public safety or as authorized by the director, no person shall top any street tree or other tree located on public property. 12.20.090 Trimming specifications. All street trees shall be pruned in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 standards, as amended from time to time. 12.20.230 Street tree removal permits. The director shall establish a permit system to be used to authorize street tree removal. ... No person will be authorized to remove trees covered by this chapter without first having received a permit to do such work. Permits shall not be valid for a period longer than thirty (30) days from issuance date.
Full Breakdown
20 of the Visalia Municipal Code (Ord. 2004-21). 020 defines a 'street tree' as any tree located between the curb and sidewalk, within a tree well in the sidewalk, in the public right-of-way, or within a street tree easement adjacent to the right-of-way. 070 places primary care on the adjoining property owner: 'All watering and trimming of street trees for maintenance and beauty shall be the responsibility of the adjoining property owner,' unless a Homeowner's Association or Landscape and Lighting Act District provides the funding.
080 sets the mandatory clearance heights: 14 feet over any street or alley and 8 feet over any parkway or sidewalk - this rule applies equally to street trees and to private trees overhanging the right-of-way. 090 requires all pruning to follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 tree-care standards. 230 requires a removal permit from the Director of Public Works (or designee) before any person may remove a street tree; permits are valid for 30 days (one year for public utilities). 040, no street tree may be altered, pruned, or removed except under the chapter and the City's authorized street-tree guidelines.
060 protects trees during construction within the crown dripline. 150 make the adjoining property owner responsible for curb/gutter/sidewalk damage and sewer-lateral damage caused by a street tree. 220 lets the City order the owner to correct sight-line obstructions caused by shrubs/hedges in the parkway within 30 days and bill the cost if the owner fails. 24 (see Oak Tree Preservation row).
Violations & Fines
Section 12.20.220 lets the Director of Public Works require correction of vegetation obstructions within 30 days of written notice and, on noncompliance, perform the work and bill the property owner for all costs. Under Section 12.20.190 the Director may remove dangerous, diseased, or pest-infected trees without incurring City liability for replacement. Section 12.20.230 makes removing a street tree without a permit a violation; permits expire after 30 days. Section 12.20.140 and 12.20.150 transfer the cost of curb/gutter/sidewalk and sewer-lateral repair caused by trees to the adjoining property owner. Appeals of Director decisions go to the City Council under Section 12.20.240, with written appeals due 10 business days after the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for the tree in front of my house?
How high do I have to keep branches trimmed?
Can I just top my street tree to make it shorter?
Do I need a permit to remove a street tree?
Who pays if a street tree's roots break my sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Visalia
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