Street Trees
Chapter 26 of the Town Code provides a comprehensive plan for the planting, maintenance and removal of trees in, or which may overhang, public streets within the Town and to establish rules and regulations relating to the planting, maintaining and removal of such trees.
The Parks and Public Works Department is responsible for inspection, maintenance, removal and replacement of all trees in public places and parkways. No person shall plant or set out any tree in or along a public street, or trim or prune any tree in the public right-of-way without written authorization from the Department.
Parks and Public Works Department
41 Miles Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Phone: 408-399-5770
Counter hours 8 am to 1 pm / phone hours 8 am to 4 pm.
Street Tree Pruning & Removal
The Town of Los Gatos maintains approximately 20,000 park and street trees. Due to the large number of trees maintained by the Town, the emergency and most critical cases are scheduled first. Normally, street trees are pruned and trimmed on a 15-year rotating cycle. Individual requests for tree trimming will be evaluated by the Town Arborist and performed only if a dangerous condition exists.
If a property owner wishes to have a healthy street tree removed from a parkway, a Tree Removal Permit application is required, along with any fees for removal and replanting. In general, the Town only removes street trees that are dead, severely diseased, or hazardous.
If there is a Town tree that appears unhealthy or needs pruning, call the Parks and Public Works Department at 408-399-5770 to request a work order. If you believe the street tree poses an immediate hazard and you are unable to contact the Parks and Public Works Department, please contact the Town of Los Gatos Police Department at 408-354-8600.
Street Corner Visibility
Property owners are responsible for trimming their bushes and trees which are in the public right-of-way (adjacent to public sidewalks & public streets) to maintain safe passage for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicle drivers. It is important to trim plants at and near intersection corners so they don’t block drivers’ views of upcoming traffic, pedestrians and the roadway. It is also important to ensure plants do not grow into the public right-of-way.
The Parks and Public Works Department administers the Street Tree Replacement Program to promote the Town's urban forest. Residents are eligible to receive one tree to plant in a park strip area in front of their home. Residents are responsible for planting and watering the tree.