Walla Walla County, WA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 12.26.050.B lists overhanging vegetation among the specific "activities and conditions" the chapter treats as prohibited obstructions within a public right-of-way, alongside displayed goods, sprinkler spray, and rubbish or grass left on the walkway. Item 5 states the rule directly: any trees, plants, shrubs or vegetation, or any parts of them, placed or maintained so that they overhang and interfere with the operation or use of a public road, sidewalk, path or trail are prohibited. Because Section 12.26.050.A frames the whole obstruction ban as applying "whether placed by permit or without permit," a tree that grew naturally into the right-of-way is treated no differently than one deliberately planted there; the abutting property owner bears the responsibility either way.

Enforcement follows Section 12.26.080: the county engineer, sheriff or prosecuting attorney can issue a $75 civil infraction for a first offense and $250 for each subsequent one if the branches merely obstruct the path, escalating to a misdemeanor under RCW 9.66.040 if the overhang actually interferes with, befouls or renders the road or sidewalk dangerous for passage. Before forcing removal outside that dangerous-passage scenario, Section 12.26.070 requires the county engineer to serve the property owner written notice describing the vegetation and the correction needed, with at least fifteen calendar days to trim it back.

Section 12.26.060 separately lets the county or a franchised utility clear overhanging branches itself, without reimbursement to the owner, when the work is tied to street or utility construction or repair.