Watsonville, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Two sections cover trees at the street edge in the City of Watsonville. Section 7-11.04 defines what counts as a public nuisance, and Section 7-11.03(b) controls who can cut. Under Section 7-11.04, five conditions are nuisances: a tree or shrub on a street, or on private property immediately adjacent to a street, that impairs or interferes with street improvements, sidewalks, curbs, approved street trees, gutters, sewers or other public improvements; any tree limb, shrub or plant in the 25 foot triangle of private property at an intersection that reaches a height more than 24 inches above the adjacent curb grade, except tree trunks with no limb lower than 8 feet above curb grade; vines or climbing plants growing into or over a street tree or a public hydrant, pole, electrolier or sidewalk; a tree hopelessly infested or infected with insects, scales, fungus or injurious growth; and any branch or foliage that interferes with visibility on, free use of, or access to a street improved for vehicular or pedestrian travel.

Trimming a street tree is itself regulated. Section 7-11.03(b) makes it unlawful to trim or remove any street tree, approved or unapproved, without first filing an application and procuring a permit from the Director of Public Works. The application states the number of trees, their location and other information the Director requires, and the Director issues the permit on finding that the removal or trimming is necessary and the proposed method is satisfactory. A street tree is a tree on a City street, and street covers all land between the boundaries of property abutting public streets, boulevards, alleys and walks (7-11.01).

Abatement is a notice process. Under Section 7-11.05 the Director serves the owner personally with a notice describing the condition, the work needed and the deadline, which is not less than ten days nor more than ninety days after service. If the work is not done, City forces or others under the Director's supervision do it, and the cost becomes a charge against the real property. Section 7-11.06 lets the Council assess that cost against the parcel through a hearing, a resolution and a notice of lien filed with the County Recorder. Compliance is stayed during an appeal (7-11.07), and orders go to the Council under Chapter 4 of Title 1 (7-11.08).