Fountain Valley, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 12.04.030 of the Fountain Valley Municipal Code has the director of public works maintain a master list of trees, approved by the city council on the director's recommendation, for planting in streets and parkways throughout the city. The list carries rules governing the planting, location, spacing and maintenance of each variety. The director designates the kind and variety of tree or shrub, and the location, spacing and planting procedure, for any street, parkway or public place.

Anyone planting must conform. No one can plant or install a tree or shrub on a street, parkway or other public place that departs from the designated type, variety, location and spacing. The section adds a petition route: owners of property fronting a street with no designated variety, or who are dissatisfied with the one designated, can petition the public works director to designate or change it, and if still dissatisfied can appeal to the city manager, who has the power to designate or change the variety for that street or portion. The city council can set aside, change or alter any action of the director or the city manager.

Related sections add conditions. Under § 12.04.040 planting on a street, parkway or public place needs prior permission from the director of public works, and that permission lasts no more than thirty days. Under § 12.04.020 the director can authorize removal of a tree or shrub that does not conform to the type or variety designated for its place. Section 12.04.070 forbids placing stone, cement or other substance that substantially impedes the free access of water or air to the roots of a street tree without the director's written approval, and § 12.04.090 requires guards or protectors on street trees near building work. Determinations of the director can be appealed to the city manager in writing within twenty days after mailing of written notice (§ 12.04.110).