Modesto, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

and administered by the Public Works Department. 02 directs the Department, working with the Community and Economic Development Department, to prepare a Street Tree Plan covering the types, varieties and locations of street trees for commercial, industrial and neighborhood zones; the Planning Commission reviews it and the Council adopts and amends it by resolution, with the Director able to modify tree varieties within the plan's general categories. 04 assigns the planting obligation itself: except as otherwise provided, the subdivider of a subdivision or parcel map shall supply and plant approximately one tree per lot, excepting corner lots, where two or three trees shall be planted.

Once planted, the City takes over maintenance of street trees within all rights-of-way and planting easements citywide, and can plant trees in subdivisions just outside the City by agreement at a Council-set fee no lower than the in-City rate; the City will not maintain trees outside its limits except by special agreement, nor maintain trees on private property outside the right-of-way. Subsection (e) puts a narrow duty back on the adjacent owner: the property owner is responsible for watering street trees located in the right-of-way or easement abutting the property.

03 gives the Director authority to remove or replace right-of-way trees and to enter adjacent property, with the owner's permission, to plant or maintain street trees, or without permission if a tree poses an immediate public-safety threat. 04(f), and any resulting relocation costs are minimized through the Director's review.