Murrieta, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Murrieta Code § 16.28.070(C)(2)
- Street tree size/spacing
- 24-inch box, 40 feet on center
- Shade trees required
- Two 15-gallon (three on corner lots)
- Planting zone
- Between street curb and front of structure
- Front yard shrubs
- Ten 5-gallon, twelve 1-gallon minimum
- Inspection authority
- Director, under § 16.28.050(D)
- Maintenance bond
- One year from occupancy
Summary
New single-family homes and custom homes in Murrieta must plant one 24-inch-box street tree every 40 feet on center in the parkway strip between the curb and the front of the structure, plus two 15-gallon shade trees on the lot, three on corner lots, under Development Code Section 16.28.070(C)(2). An automatic irrigation system is required for the same area.
C. New Single-family Residences. New single-family developments and custom homes shall provide landscaping with an automatic irrigation system for the area of the site between the street curb and the front of the structure from side property line to side property line. The landscape design should include a combination of trees, shrubs, groundcover, mulch, and hardscape, and shall emphasize water-conserving plant materials and irrigation to the greatest extent feasible. 1. Front yard landscaping shall be provided in all residential zoning districts. The minimum landscaped area should be located within the front yard setback, whenever possible, as identified in Table 3-4. 2. A minimum of one (1) street tree (24 inch-box) forty (40) feet on center (two (2) feet on private side of property) and two (2) shade trees (15-gallon) on the property shall be provided. Corner lots shall provide a minimum of three shade trees (15-gallon minimum).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-23: A Codification of the General Ordinances of the City of Murrieta, California through Ord. 634-26, passed 7-7-2026).
Full Breakdown
070(C), governs planting in the parkway area of new single-family lots. It requires an automatic irrigation system for the area between the street curb and the front of the structure, from side property line to side property line, and directs that the design combine trees, shrubs, groundcover, mulch and hardscape emphasizing water-conserving plant material. Subsection 1 ties the minimum landscaped area to the front yard setback identified in Table 3-4. Subsection 2 sets the tree count: a minimum of one 24 inch-box street tree spaced 40 feet on center, held back two feet on the private side of the property line, plus two 15-gallon shade trees on the lot; corner lots must carry a minimum of three 15-gallon shade trees instead of two.
Subsection 3 rounds out the front yard with at least ten 5-gallon shrubs and twelve 1-gallon shrubs, though the director can adjust shrub counts for irregular lots such as cul-de-sac or flag lots. 050(A)(5) requires most landscape projects other than developer- or homeowner-installed single-family work to post a performance security guaranteeing maintenance of the planting and irrigation system for one year from occupancy before that bond is released. 42 (Tree Preservation) rather than this planting standard.
Violations & Fines
The Community Development Director enforces compliance through site inspections authorized by Section 16.28.050(D) and can withhold release of the one-year landscape performance security if the required street trees and shrubs were not installed or maintained. Failure to comply with a Murrieta ordinance is otherwise handled as a general infraction under Section 1.08.050: fines run $100 for a first conviction, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for a third or later, with repeat or serious violations chargeable as a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in county jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many street trees does a new Murrieta house need?
Who inspects the parkway trees after they're planted?
Does a corner lot need extra shade trees in Murrieta?
Is irrigation required for the parkway planting area?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Murrieta
California rules heatmap·Compare Murrieta to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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