Santa Clarita, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- For planting, pruning, or removing a parkway tree
- Species list
- Must match City's Master Street Tree List
- First infraction fine
- Up to $250
- Second infraction (1 yr)
- Up to $500
- Third infraction
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 months
- Appeal deadline
- 20 days to Parks Commission
- Bond
- Can reach 100% of job value
Summary
Santa Clarita requires a permit before any property owner plants, prunes, trims, root-prunes or removes a tree in a street parkway or public area. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director reviews applications with the City Arborist under Municipal Code Chapter 13.76, and species must come from the City's Master Street Tree List. Denials can be appealed to the Parks Commission within 20 days.
Permit Required for Planting, Removing, or Maintenance. Whenever a property owner desires to plant, prune, trim, root prune or remove trees planted in a parkway or public area, an application shall be filed with the Director for a permit to take such actions. If the Director finds that such action is to the advantage of a tree, or removal is imperative due to safety considerations, and upon the approval of the City arborist, a permit may be issued, but only for such work that will not create, continue or aggravate any hazardous condition or public nuisance, will not prevent or interfere with the growth, location or planting of approved street trees, and is consistent with the street tree program. The Director may waive the permit requirements for minor trimming or pruning activities, such as the removal of palm fronds.
Full Breakdown
050(A)(1) requires anyone who wants to plant, prune, trim, root-prune or remove a tree in a City parkway or public area to file an application with the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director. The Director may approve the work, with sign-off from the City Arborist, only if it will not create a hazardous condition or public nuisance, will not interfere with approved street tree locations, and is consistent with the Street Tree Program; the Director can waive the permit for minor trimming such as removing palm fronds.
100 governs new planting tied to development: subdivisions and building projects must plant official street trees in the adjacent parkway as a condition of the Development Review Committee process, using species drawn from the Master Street Tree List, with the Director setting the number, spacing and planting method and requiring root control barriers where needed. The owner or subdivider bears the planting and irrigation cost. 050(B)(4) lets the Director require a bond equal to 100 percent of the job's value for significant work, and anyone maintaining or removing City trees commercially must carry public liability and property damage insurance filed with the City Clerk.
050(B)(1)-(2)). 060(B) separately bars planting a nonconforming tree, or one whose canopy or roots would compete with an existing street tree, in a parkway without Director approval.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted planting, pruning or removal is enforced under Section 13.76.060(F): a first infraction draws a fine of up to $250, a second within one year up to $500, and a third within a year becomes a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and up to six months in county jail, or both. Anyone who damages a protected or street tree must also pay the full replacement or repair cost, and each tree harmed counts as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to plant a tree in the parkway strip in front of my Santa Clarita home?
Which tree species am I allowed to plant?
What happens if I plant or remove a parkway tree without a permit?
Can I appeal if the City denies my tree permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clarita
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clarita to another location·View the California tree protection overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle parkway planting.