LA County Public Works requires a no-fee permit before planting, removing, or pruning any tree in the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb. Approved species follow the LA County Street Tree Master Plan with separation from utilities and driveways.
In unincorporated areas, the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb is a county right-of-way managed by the Department of Public Works. Title 16 of the LA County Code requires an encroachment-style Parkway Tree Permit before any planting, removal, or significant pruning. DPW maintains an approved species list under the LA County Street Tree Master Plan, matching tree mature size to parkway width: small species like crape myrtle for 3-4 ft strips, medium like Chinese pistache for 5-6 ft, and large like coast live oak for 7 ft and wider. Setbacks include 10 ft from driveway aprons, 5 ft from water meters, and 25 ft from streetlights.
Planting unauthorized species or omitting the permit triggers removal at owner cost and fines up to $500. Damaging an existing parkway tree without DPW authorization can lead to appraised-value restitution running into thousands of dollars per tree.
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