“Trees in parkway” PCIS Clearance Guidelines

SEC.62.178. STREET TREE INSPECTION CLEARANCE FEE. Article 2, CHAPTER VI of the Los Angeles Municipal Code . The “work
or construction of driveways/curb ramps/sidewalks/parkways” clearance is designed for parkway tree preservation.

For plan review and clearance approval, please submit the following required items as pdf
attachments (no dropbox links, etc):

1. The address, 15-digit PCIS application number(s), and the clearance summary worksheet.
2. A written description of the proposed work, speci ically if you are using the existing
driveway/driveway approach or moving/widening it. 
3. Plot plans or plans (A or B permit drawings) showing the proposed street or parkway
work AND existing site conditions. Trees must be plotted as close to the real position as
possible.
4. Copy of A/B Permit (from Bureau of Engineering), Revocable, and any City Planning Case
conditions of approval documents requiring street or parkway improvements. (If
applicable)
5. A current picture of the frontage and any existing tree(s) (no Google images). 
6. The clearance fee will be determined once we receive all the documents and after
research. A payment link will be sent once clearance has been reviewed. Please use the
link provided to pay be either credit card or electronic check. A site inspection will be
performed after we receive payment.

Submit these documents by email to bss.urbanforestry@lacity.org for review.

lease only send documents and plans relevant to tree requirements and locations.
P
I ncomplete submittals will not be accepted and will delay your clearance process.
You must provide an explanation for items that cannot be provided.

Please note:
If there is an existing healthy and mature parkway tree(s) AND you propose to relocate or widen a
driveway/driveway approach or your have required street improvements, you must identify
potential impacts to the root system of the tree(s).

Plan requirements: .
● Show the tree(s), the dripline, and/or visible root system plotted as close to real position as
possible.
● Show the existing and proposed driveway/driveway approach.
● Show the distance from tree’s root system to the  closest  part of the proposed
driveway/driveway approach edge (or lare) or other proposed work.
● Show distance from each property line to proposed driveway/driveway approach.
● Show all other required street or parkway improvements, such as street widening, curb or
sidewalk reconstruction and their distance to the tree’s root system.
● Clearly label property lines, setbacks, and easements.
You must demonstrate that the project included parkway tree preservation options as part of the
design. You should eliminate or minimize impacts to the existing parkway tree(s) and their root
system. Examples of redesign are tree well widening, reducing driveway size, changing driveway
type, design, or driveway approach, sidewalk meandering or ramping. Submit these documents by
email to bss.urbanforestry@lacity.org for review. If potential impacts to an existing parkway
tree(s) exist, you will be required to eliminate those impacts by way of a redesign. That generally
means staying outside the drip line of the tree and/or outside of the critical root zone area. These
areas vary for every tree therefore there is no standard “minimum distance.” If the work cannot be
redesigned to protect the parkway tree from all impacts, UFD may not approve the PCIS clearance. 

CLEARANCE - No Inspection required

 If there are no existing parkway trees, submit the required items by email to
bss.urbanforestry@lacity.org. Once we research and verify the information, an email will be sent
back to you indicating the street tree inspection clearance fee you must pay (minimum fee $177.00).
Once we receive your check by mail, we can process the request . Electronic approval will be issued.

CLEARANCE – Inspection required - Root Pruning Permit will be required

If UFD determines the proposed work is in proximity to the parkway tree(s) root system and may
require root pruning, you must ill out an application for a root prune permit using the same CRM#
you will be provided with . A check in the amount of $649.00 must be mailed to our of ice (when
requested). Once we receive your payment, a UFD inspector’s site visit must con irm that the tree(s)
can be root pruned to ensure parkway tree preservation while allowing the requested parkway
improvements. We may approve the clearance "with conditions." Conditions are speci ic to the
project and will require return visits to UFD once an A/B Permit from BOE (Bureau of Engineering)
has been obtained. We will issue a root prune permit at that time, and you will be required to prune
the canopy of the tree before performing the root pruning. Final clearance approval and C of O
(Certi icate of Occupancy) will be granted after permitted work has been completed to the
satisfaction of UFD.

CLEARANCE - Inspection required - Tree Removal Permit will be required w

If you qualify for a parkway tree removal permit, you will need to ill out an online application for a
tree removal permit using the same CRM # you will be provided with. A check in the amount of
$649.00 should be mailed to our of ice (when requested). We may grant the clearance “with
conditions” at that time. Conditions are speci ic to the project and will require return visits to UFD
once the A/B Permit from BOE has been obtained. You must provide all required supporting
documents and obtain a tree removal permit from the Board of Public Works through UFD. Please
refer to the tree removal application and submit the required items by email to
bss.urbanforestry@lacity.org. Additional permit and planting fees may apply. The average
processing time for tree removal permits is 90-120 days. Final clearance approval and C of O
(Certi icate of Occupancy) will be granted after permitted work has been completed to the
satisfaction of UFD.

* Tree removal permit requests are heavily scrutinized to ensure all alternatives to retain healthy
and mature street tree(s) have been explored. Exceptions may include no existing driveway, dead
trees, and mandatory yard setbacks.