El Monte Tree Trimming Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

El Monte's municipal code establishes the city's authority over trees located within public rights-of-way, parkways, medians, and other city-owned property. The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance, trimming, and removal of all public trees. Residents are strictly prohibited from trimming branches, cutting roots, attaching objects to, or removing any tree on public property. If a public tree is causing damage to a sidewalk, driveway, or sewer line, residents should report the issue to Public Works for assessment and remediation rather than taking action independently.

For trees on private property, El Monte property owners generally have the right to trim and maintain their own trees. However, the removal of trees above certain size thresholds — particularly mature, specimen, or heritage trees — may require a tree removal permit from the Community and Economic Development Department. The permit process considers the species, size, health, and ecological value of the tree, as well as whether the removal is necessitated by construction, disease, or safety concerns. Replacement planting may be required as a condition of approval.

El Monte sits in the San Gabriel Valley where summer temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making the urban tree canopy essential for heat mitigation and air quality. The city's general plan encourages expanding tree cover, particularly along major corridors and in residential neighborhoods. When planting new trees, the city recommends drought-tolerant species that are suited to Southern California's semi-arid climate and do not have invasive root systems that damage infrastructure.