Fremont, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Street tree permit or approved development plan
- Species control
- Only city manager-approved species
- Planting standard
- City council-adopted standard details
- Administering official
- City manager
- First damage penalty
- $250 fine
- Repeat damage penalty
- $750, then $1,000
Summary
Fremont requires a street tree permit or approved development plan before anyone plants a tree in the public right-of-way, and planting must follow city-adopted standard details using only city manager-approved species.
12.30.040 Planting – Permit and standards.
(a) A person may not plant a street tree except as authorized by a street tree permit or an approved development plan.
(b) Planting of street trees must comply with the planting standards set forth in standard details adopted by the city council or as expressly authorized in writing by the city manager.
(c) Only species approved in writing by the city manager or shown on an approved development plan may be planted as street trees.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 02-2026, passed May 5, 2026).
Full Breakdown
040, Planting - Permit and standards, sets three binding conditions on parkway tree planting. " Second, planting "must comply with the planting standards set forth in standard details adopted by the city council or as expressly authorized in writing by the city manager," which controls placement, spacing, and technique. Third, "only species approved in writing by the city manager or shown on an approved development plan may be planted as street trees," so homeowners cannot choose their own species for the parkway strip. 030 makes planting, pruning, or removing a street tree outside this article unlawful.
110. 100 and may issue them only to persons reasonably believed to be licensed under the contractors' state license law. 180 carry escalating administrative penalties of $250 for a first offense, $750 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense, or a flat $1,000 for intentional or knowing damage. This article stems from Ordinance 11-2010, adopted May 25, 2010, and continues 1990 Code Section 6-2103.
Violations & Fines
Planting an unapproved species or planting without a street tree permit or approved development plan violates Section 12.30.030, and damaging a permitted street tree (paving, raised planters, or injurious substances within four feet) under Section 12.30.170 draws an administrative penalty of $250 for a first offense, $750 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense, or $1,000 flat for intentional damage under Section 12.30.180.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Fremont homeowner plant any tree species in the parkway strip?
Does planting a street tree in Fremont require a permit?
What information does a Fremont street tree permit application need?
What is the fine for damaging a Fremont street tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fremont
California rules heatmap·Compare Fremont to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle parkway planting.