Santee, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Parkway defined as
- Strip between sidewalk and curb
- Planting permit issuer
- Director of Community Services
- Species restriction
- Must be Director-approved street tree
- Application section
- Santee Municipal Code § 8.06.160
- Interference ban
- Unlawful to obstruct City planting crews
- Appeal deadline
- 30 working days to the Director
Summary
In the City of Santee, the parkway, defined by Municipal Code § 8.06.030 as the right-of-way strip between the sidewalk and curb, is public land where planting any tree, hedge, or shrub requires written Director authorization under § 8.06.150. Only species the Director has approved for that street may be planted there.
"Parkway" means the portion of the public right-of-way located between the sidewalk and the curb. ... No person is permitted to plant any tree, hedge or shrub upon or within any City, public highway, or public property within the City unless authorized in writing to do so by the Director. ... Any person desiring to plant any tree, hedge or shrub within any public highway or public right-of-way must file an application with the Director and receive a permit pursuant to Section 8.06.170. ... No permit for the planting of a tree within any public highway will be issued by the Director unless the species of the tree to be planted is one approved by the Director. The permit for the planting of a tree, shrub or hedge may be issued upon such terms and conditions as the Director determines appropriate to protect persons and property or may be denied.
Full Breakdown
Section 8.06.030 defines "parkway" as the portion of the public right-of-way located between the sidewalk and the curb, and separately defines "street tree" as one the parks and landscape maintenance supervisor has designated appropriate for that specific stretch of right-of-way and placed on the approved street tree list. Anyone who wants to plant a tree, hedge, or shrub in the parkway or elsewhere in a public highway or public property must first get written authorization from the Director under § 8.06.150, by filing an application under § 8.06.160.
Under § 8.06.170, the Director will not issue a planting permit unless the proposed species is one the Director has approved, and any permit issued can carry whatever terms and conditions the Director deems necessary to protect people and property, or be denied outright. The chapter's broader purpose provisions direct the City to develop and maintain a street tree master plan and an approved list of trees for the right-of-way, per § 8.06.020(K), with the parks and landscape maintenance supervisor recommending changes to that master plan to the City Council under § 8.06.060(B).
Interfering with City employees or contractors while they plant, maintain, or remove trees in public places is separately unlawful under § 8.06.240, and any decision by the supervisor may be appealed to the Director within 30 working days under § 8.06.250, though the Director's decision on appeal is final.
Violations & Fines
Planting an unapproved species, or planting in the parkway without a Director-issued permit, is unlawful under § 8.06.150 and is enforced by the Parks and Landscape Maintenance Supervisor through Title 1's misdemeanor, infraction, or administrative citation authority. Interfering with an authorized City planting crew is separately unlawful under § 8.06.240.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant my own tree in the parkway strip in front of my house?
What exactly is the "parkway" in Santee's code?
Who decides which tree species Santee allows on its streets?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santee
California rules heatmap·Compare Santee to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle parkway planting.