Sacramento County, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Easement depth
- 5 feet minimum
- Applies to
- new subdivisions
- Planting permit required
- yes, from Public Works
- Exemption
- lots over 1 acre, 125+ ft frontage
Summary
New subdivisions must dedicate a five-foot planting easement along every county street, and a Public Works Director permit is required before planting, trimming, or removing any tree in it.
Developers of new subdivisions shall convey to the County planting easements along all County streets. The easements shall measure no less than five feet in depth and shall extend across the entire width of the lot. The easements shall be located adjacent to the easements required for underground utilities and facilities. Developers are not required to convey planting easements encumbering single family residentially zoned lots that exceed one acre in area and have street frontage in excess of one hundred twenty-five feet. The property owner, lessee or tenant shall not be excluded from any of his inherent rights in the planting easements that do not conflict with the satisfactory planting and maintaining of trees and shrubs therein or do not conflict with other County or state regulations.
b. The Public Words Director shall require the conveyance of the planting easements as provided herein and shall cause the provisions of this section to be enforced.
c. The Parks Director, planning director, and the Public Words Director shall encourage and assist private parties and civic organizations to convey planting easements to the County.
d. All trees and shrubs within the planting easements at the time the easements are conveyed to the County shall thereupon become public trees and shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 915 § 6, 1966)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Sacramento County requires developers of new subdivisions to dedicate a planting easement at least five feet deep along the full frontage of every county street, located next to the utility easement (§ 19.04.060). Lots over one acre with more than 125 feet of street frontage are exempt. Trees within these easements become public trees maintained under the County's master tree plan, and a permit from the Public Works Director is required before planting, trimming, or removing any tree on the easement (§ 19.04.100).
Violations & Fines
Building or platting without honoring the required easement can hold up subdivision approval; trees planted on a County planting easement without a permit are subject to removal by the Public Works Director.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to plant a tree in the parkway strip?
How wide must a subdivision's planting easement be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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