Costa Mesa Tree Trimming Rules (2026): What You Need to Know
Some RestrictionsKey Facts
- Public trees
- Street and parkway trees are city property — unauthorized trimming or removal is prohibited
- Service requests
- Residents may request city tree maintenance through Public Services at (714) 754-5343
- Private tree pruning
- Routine pruning of private trees generally does not require a city permit
- Development conditions
- Trees required as landscape screening by development approval may not be removed without authorization
- Power line clearance
- Tree work near power lines must be coordinated with Southern California Edison at 1-800-655-4555
The Short Version
The City of Costa Mesa regulates tree trimming and removal through its Municipal Code and the Public Services Department. Trees located in the public right-of-way — including street trees, parkway trees planted between the sidewalk and curb, and trees in medians — are city property and may not be trimmed, pruned, or removed by private individuals without prior written authorization from the Public Services Department. Costa Mesa maintains an active urban forestry program and contracts for regular maintenance of city-owned trees on a rotating cycle throughout the city's neighborhoods. For trees on private property, Costa Mesa does not require a general permit for routine pruning and maintenance. Property owners are free to trim, shape, and maintain their own trees. However, trees that are part of a condition of approval for a development project — such as required landscape screening — may not be removed without city authorization. Additionally, any tree work near overhead power lines must be coordinated with Southern California Edison, and only qualified utility-approved contractors should work within the utility clearance zone. Costa Mesa encourages property owners to hire International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborists for major tree work, including removals of large specimens, crown reductions, and structural pruning. The city also has specific requirements regarding tree preservation during construction projects, where significant trees on or adjacent to a development site may be required to be protected or replaced as a condition of the building permit.
Full Breakdown
The City of Costa Mesa regulates tree trimming and removal through its Municipal Code and the Public Services Department. Trees located in the public right-of-way — including street trees, parkway trees planted between the sidewalk and curb, and trees in medians — are city property and may not be trimmed, pruned, or removed by private individuals without prior written authorization from the Public Services Department. Costa Mesa maintains an active urban forestry program and contracts for regular maintenance of city-owned trees on a rotating cycle throughout the city's neighborhoods.
For trees on private property, Costa Mesa does not require a general permit for routine pruning and maintenance. Property owners are free to trim, shape, and maintain their own trees. However, trees that are part of a condition of approval for a development project — such as required landscape screening — may not be removed without city authorization. Additionally, any tree work near overhead power lines must be coordinated with Southern California Edison, and only qualified utility-approved contractors should work within the utility clearance zone.
Costa Mesa encourages property owners to hire International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborists for major tree work, including removals of large specimens, crown reductions, and structural pruning. The city also has specific requirements regarding tree preservation during construction projects, where significant trees on or adjacent to a development site may be required to be protected or replaced as a condition of the building permit.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Unauthorized trimming, topping, damaging, or removal of a city-owned tree in the public right-of-way is a violation of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code. Violators may be cited and required to pay the full replacement value of the damaged or removed tree, calculated using established urban forestry valuation methods that account for species, size, condition, and location. Replacement costs for mature street trees can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the specimen. Administrative citation fines in Costa Mesa begin at $100 for a first offense and escalate for repeat violations. Willful destruction of a city tree may result in referral to the City Attorney for misdemeanor prosecution. Removal of trees protected under a development condition without authorization may constitute a zoning violation subject to additional penalties and a requirement to replant replacement trees of specified size and species at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trim a city tree in front of my Costa Mesa home?
Do I need a permit to remove a tree from my private property in Costa Mesa?
Who handles tree trimming near power lines in Costa Mesa?
Sources & Official References
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