Yuba City, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Chapter 3 of Title 9, adopted by Ordinance 563 (effective December 18, 1968), defines the 'planting strip' as the portion of the public right-of-way between the curb and the adjacent property line, and a 'planting easement' as a public easement set aside for the same purpose; both are what most residents call the parkway. Section 9-3.02 requires the Recreation and Parks Department, working with the Planning Department, to prepare a citywide Street Tree Plan naming the varieties and locations for planting, subject to Planning Commission review and Council adoption by resolution, with the Director recommending revisions over time.

Section 9-3.06(a) makes it unlawful for anyone to plant a tree or other plant material, other than lawn or similar material, in a planting strip or planting easement without first getting the Director's permission, and Section 9-3.04(a) puts the City itself in charge of day-to-day planting within the limits of the City budget, plus a fee charged to subdividers for furnishing, locating, planting and fertilizing trees on new subdivisions. A resident cannot simply plant a tree in an above-ground container in the parkway either: Section 9-3.04(c) requires a written application to the Director stating the number of trees, their location, size, variety and spacing, and approval is granted only when in-ground planting is shown to be physically impossible or economically unfeasible and the request matches the approved plan. Once a tree is in the ground, the abutting property owner takes over watering and fertilizing duties under Section 9-3.04(e), and the Director may enter the strip or adjoining property as reasonably necessary to inspect or maintain any street tree under Section 9-3.03(b).