Huntington Park, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

The planting standard is item 1 of § 9-3.408 (Landscape development standards) in the Huntington Park zoning title. On all new construction or new occupancies, the Director may require trees in the parkway area. All parkway trees must be 15 gallon minimum in residential zoning districts and 24 inch box minimum in commercial and industrial zoning districts. Trees can be formally or informally spaced. The quantity is a minimum of one tree for 40 feet of property frontage, a general minimum standard, so the review authority can require additional trees or landscaping case by case. Areas not devoted to trees or sidewalk must be appropriately landscaped. Section 9-3.402 applies the chapter to all new projects that require landscaping, and to existing projects to the extent possible.

Item 6 of the same section sets clearances: trees go 25 feet from the beginning of curb returns at street intersections, 10 feet from light standards and power poles, 10 feet from fire hydrants, five feet from service walks, driveways and structures, and 10 feet from water and sewer lines. Item 5 requires long-lived trees with a minimum life expectancy of 60 years, and item 8 requires staking or guying to City standards.

A separate layer governs which species go in. Under § 7-5.203 the Director of Field Services establishes and maintains the approved street tree list, chosen for low maintenance, moderate to slow growth rates, tendency to be pest free and aesthetic value, plus planting specifications for size, spacing, location and planting. Under § 7-5.204 no person can plant a City tree without a permit from the Director. Where the City plants in a parkway, § 7-5.207 makes the abutting owner, occupant or agent responsible for watering and sweeping, and the City handles other maintenance.