Westminster, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Westminster's street and parkway trees are governed by the Street Forestry Policy in Municipal Code Chapter 12.12. Trees located in the parkway (the strip between the sidewalk and curb) are City trees; the City's Parks/Trees Division trims them according to a predetermined schedule, and the homeowner or business owner is responsible for watering the tree. Section 12.12.130 specifically covers parkway trees. The Director of Public Works plants, removes, regulates, and controls all vegetation in the public right-of-way and designates the location, species, spacing, and method of planting. Under the policy, no person may plant, cut, trim, mutilate, prune, injure, or remove a street tree except as the policy provides. Anyone wanting permission to plant, remove, or in any way interfere with the natural growth of vegetation along city streets or on other city property must apply to the Director for a permit, and the Director may require the work to be done under departmental supervision. For private-property trees, the City's landscaping standards (Chapter 17.310) require that trees and shrubs not obstruct sight distance for safe vehicle travel, not interfere with lighting or emergency access, and be trimmed above ground level to accommodate pedestrian and vehicle traffic; plant material must not encroach into the public right-of-way. Report parkway-tree concerns to Public Works at (714) 895-2876 or publicworks@westminster-ca.gov.