Pomona, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 46-464(e)
- Permit needed for
- Trimming, pruning, cutting, removal (Sec. 46-467)
- Planting strip easement
- 6 feet behind sidewalk where possible
- Oversight body
- Parks and recreation commission
- Owner duty
- Water street trees; pay for negligent loss
Summary
Pomona's parks division keeps an approved list of ground covers and plantings for the planting strip between the curb and property line, and City Code Sec. 46-464(e) requires prior approval from the director of community services or public works before using anything else, paving it, or letting vines grow on a street tree.
The parks division shall maintain a current list of approved ground covers and plantings for planting strips. Use of plant materials other than those listed shall be by prior approval of the director of community services. No planting, construction or excavating which endangers pedestrian or vehicular traffic shall be permitted in planting strips. No surfacing material, such as asphalt, gravel, etc., may be used without prior approval of the public works director. No vines or other plant materials shall be allowed to grow on any street tree. The placing of temporary protection for new lawns or trees or the provision of watering basins shall not be considered a violation of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: City Code: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
Section 46-461 defines the "planting strip" as the area between the curb (or where the curb should be) and the property line, plus traffic islands and divider strips, and puts the parks and recreation commission in charge of the city's master street tree plan under Sec. 46-462. Sec. " Subsection (h) requires a six-foot easement behind the sidewalk where possible when the planting strip sits between the sidewalk and the property line, and allows trees to be planted in that easement. Sec. 46-467 separately requires a written permit from the director of community services before anyone trims, prunes, cuts or removes a street tree, with the permit conditioned on a showing of need and code compliance; anyone in the business of removing city trees must carry public liability and property damage insurance in an amount the director fixes.
Abutting property owners are responsible for watering street trees under Sec. 46-467(e), and bear replacement costs if a tree dies from insufficient watering, except where the failure traces to a government-imposed water restriction.
Violations & Fines
Willfully injuring a street tree, filling the root area with cement or building material, piling material against a trunk, posting unauthorized signs on a tree, or interfering with city crews doing planting or removal work all violate Sec. 46-467(c)-(d), and the responsible party or abutting owner pays for repairs. Sec. 46-469 lets the city place a lien on the property if it removes a hazardous or nuisance tree and the cost is not paid within 15 days of city council confirmation, collected as a special assessment on the property tax bill along with penalties and interest for delinquency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Pomona resident plant whatever they want in the parkway strip?
Do you need a permit to remove a street tree in Pomona?
Who is responsible for watering a Pomona street tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pomona
California rules heatmap·Compare Pomona to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle parkway planting.