Modesto Municipal Code Title 7 requires a permit from the Director of Public Works to remove any city street tree. When removal is authorized, the responsible party must replace the tree with a size and species approved by city staff; replacement permits are valid for 60 days.
MMC Title 7 (Public Works) establishes Modesto's Street Trees Ordinance, administered by the Community Forestry Division (209-342-2253). A permit from the Director of Public Works is required before any street tree is removed or significantly pruned. Permits are valid for 60 days. When a tree is removed, replacement is required; the replacement tree must be as near in size to the removed tree as practicable. If replanting the same species, owner approval is not needed, but alternate species must be approved by city staff. During construction projects, the property owner bears the cost of removal and replacement. Approved tree vendors are listed on the city's website. Residents may also request city-initiated removals for hazardous or dead trees.
Removing or damaging a street tree without a permit may result in fines, mandatory restoration, and reimbursement of the tree's appraised value to the city. The Director of Public Works may require replanting at the violator's expense.
Modesto, CA
Modesto's noise ordinance (MMC Title 4, Ch. 9) bans 'loud and raucous noise' citywide, including from industrial operations. Certain continuous industrial ac...
Modesto, CA
Modesto enforces a 72-hour street-parking limit citywide under MMC Title 3, Chapter 2, Article 10. Designated residential areas also operate Residential Park...
Modesto, CA
Modesto Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 4 permits backyard hens in R-1 residential zones. Up to 12 hens are allowed; roosters are prohibited. Coop placement ...
Modesto, CA
Modesto has one of the lowest pet limits in California, allowing a maximum of two dogs or cats per household under MMC Title 5, Chapter 4. Animal hoarding is...
Modesto, CA
Modesto sits on the Central Valley floor outside CAL FIRE's State Responsibility Area and is not mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, so the wild...
Modesto, CA
Modesto does not regulate year-round residential lawn ornaments (statues, gnomes, flamingos, religious figures, sports themes) by size, quantity, or content....
See how Modesto's tree replacement requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.