Thousand Oaks, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- TOMC § 7-2.913 (Private Property Encroachments on Public Right-of-Way)
- Applies to
- Hedges, shrubs, plantings, fences, and similar structures
- Owner duty
- Keep them off the sidewalk / public right-of-way
- If not fixed after notice
- City removes it and bills the owner for all costs
Summary
Property owners in Thousand Oaks must keep hedges, shrubs, plantings, and fences on their own property trimmed back so they don't encroach onto the public right-of-way, which includes the sidewalk and parkway strip. Letting greenery or a fence grow into the right-of-way is a code violation, and the City can remove it and bill the owner if it isn't fixed after notice.
(a) Owners and occupants of private property shall maintain all hedges, shrubs, or other plantings, and fences or similar structures upon their property in a neat and orderly condition and shall not allow such plantings and structures to encroach upon the public right-of-way. (b) It is a violation of this chapter to allow hedges, shrubs, other types of plantings, fences or similar structure to encroach upon the public right-of-way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-78: 2026 S-78 Supplement contains: Current city legislation passed through March 31, 2026).
Full Breakdown
TOMC § 7-2.913 requires owners and occupants of private property to keep hedges, shrubs, other plantings, fences, and similar structures on their property in a neat and orderly condition and to prevent them from encroaching onto the public right-of-way. Letting such landscaping or structures grow into or over the right-of-way is expressly declared a violation of the chapter. If the owner doesn't remove the encroachment after receiving written notice, the City may perform the removal work itself and recover all associated costs from the owner or occupant under the Code's cost-recovery provisions.
Violations & Fines
Allowing an encroachment to persist after notice lets the City remove it directly and charge the property owner or occupant for the full cost of removal under TOMC § 1-2.06, on top of any Code-violation penalties under the encroachment chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
My neighbor's hedge is growing over the public sidewalk: is that allowed?
What happens if I don't trim back a fence or hedge blocking the sidewalk after the City tells me to?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thousand Oaks
California rules heatmap·Compare Thousand Oaks to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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Obstruction Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle obstruction rules.