Berkeley, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

010 makes it unlawful to plant any tree, shrub or plant in or upon a street, parking strip, public square, park or playground without first obtaining permission from the Director of Recreation and Parks, who designates the kind, variety and size of what may be planted. 040 defines "park" or "parking strip" as the area between the property line and the roadway, excluding the sidewalk and curb, and separately bars paving that strip in any manner or with any material without the Director's written permission, granted according to rules the Director adopts.

Together the two sections mean a resident cannot simply plant a tree in the parkway in front of their house, or pave it over for parking, car access or hardscaping, without City sign-off specifying what is allowed. 030, which bars placing salt, oil, herbicide or other plant-damaging material in or near any parking strip, parking area or public plat, or close enough that the material would soak into that soil. 44's tree provisions, through the Recreation and Parks Department, and a parkway planting or paving job done without permission is treated as a violation of the chapter rather than a separate offense.