San Jose Public Works and Department of Transportation manage parkway-strip tree planting between sidewalks and curbs under SJMC Chapter 13.32 and Council Policy 7-12, requiring a Street Tree Planting Permit and use of approved species from the city's street tree list.
Parkway strips, the planting area between sidewalk and curb, are within the public right-of-way even though abutting property owners maintain them. Under SJMC Chapter 13.32 and the Community Forestry program, a Street Tree Planting Permit is required before installing or replacing a parkway tree. The Department of Transportation maintains the official Approved Street Tree Species List, screened for utility-conflict, root-damage, drought tolerance, and canopy goals. Spacing rules require minimum distances from driveways, fire hydrants, streetlights, and existing trees. Adjacent owners are responsible for ongoing watering and maintenance. The city plants and removes parkway trees in coordination with the property owner and the Urban Forest Master Plan goals.
Planting an unapproved species, planting without a Street Tree Planting Permit, or removing a parkway tree without authorization can trigger removal orders, replacement requirements at city ratios, and restoration billing through SJMC Chapter 13.32.
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