Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 12 — STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES
Monrovia Municipal Code Ch. 12.44 Street Trees
Monrovia Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-03 · Monrovia
Cite as: Monrovia Municipal Code Chapter 12.44 · Text as of 2026-10-03
§ 12.44.010 PERMITTED SPECIES OF STREET TREES.¶
(A) The following list constitutes the species of street trees that are permitted to be planted in the public right of way and city-owned parkways within the city. The list is ordered first by trees that are native to Southern California and then those that are not. This list is further ordered by the subcategory of tree height at full growth: Small (one foot to 15 feet), medium (16 feet to 30 feet), and large (30 feet plus).
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Native to Southern California? | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redbud | Cercis occidentalis | Yes | Small |
| Blue Palo Verde | Parkinsonia florida | Yes | Small |
| White Alder | Alnus rhombifolium | Yes | Medium |
| Island Ironwood | Lyonothamnus floribundus | Yes | Medium |
| California Fan Palm | Washingtonia filifera | Yes | Medium |
| Incense Cedar | Calocedrus decurrens | Yes | Medium |
| Modesto Ash | Fraxinus velutina 'Modesto' | Yes | Medium |
| Big Leaf Maple | Acer macrophyllum | Yes | Large |
| California Sycamore | Platanus racemosa | Yes | Large |
| Coast Live Oak | Quercus agrifolia | Yes | Large |
| Canyon Live Oak | Quercus chrysolepis | Yes | Large |
| Engelmann Oak | Quercus engelmannii | Yes | Large |
| Torrey Pine | Pinus torreyana | Yes | Large |
| Fremont Cottonwood | Populus fremontii | Yes | Large |
| Valley Oak | Quercus lobata | Yes | Large |
| Lemon Bottlebrush | Callistemon citrinus | No | Small |
| Marina Strawberry Tree | Arbutus 'Marina' | No | Small |
| King Palm | Archontophoenix cunninghamiana | No | Small |
| Orchid Tree | Bauhinia variegata | No | Small |
| Weeping Bottlebrush | Callistemon viminalis | No | Small |
| Purple Hopseed | Dodonea viscosa 'Purpurea' | No | Small |
| Crape Myrtle | Lagerstromia indica | No | Small |
| Glossy Privet | Ligustrum lucidum | No | Small |
| Redleaf Photinia | Photinia x fraseri | No | Small |
| Yew Pine | Podocarpus macrophyllus | No | Small |
| Purple Leaf Plum | Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud' | No | Small |
| Diamond Leaf Pittosporum | Auranticarpa rhombifolia | No | Small |
| Silk Tree | Albizia julibrissin | No | Medium |
| Red Ironbark | Eucalyptus sideroxylon | No | Medium |
| Goldenrain Tree | Koelreuteria paniculata | No | Medium |
| Peruvian Pepper | Schinus molle | No | Medium |
| Italian Alder | Alnus cordata | No | Medium |
| Pink Flame Tree | Brachychiton discolor | No | Medium |
| Carrotwood | Cupaniopsis anacardioides | No | Medium |
| Maidenhair Tree | Ginkgo biloba | No | Medium |
| Brisbane Box | Lophostemon confertus | No | Medium |
| Victorian Box | Pittosporum undulatum | No | Medium |
| Silver Maple | Acer saccharinum | No | Large |
| Tulip Tree | Liriodendron tulipifera | No | Large |
| Fern Pine | Afrocarpus falcatus | No | Large |
| Camphor Tree | Cinnamomum camphora | No | Large |
| Coral Tree | Erythrina coralloides | No | Large |
| Indian Laurel Fig | Ficus microcarpa | No | Large |
| Glossy Leaf Fig | Ficus microcarpa var. nitida | No | Large |
| Rusty Leaf Fig | Ficus rubignosa | No | Large |
| Thomlinson's Ash | Fraxinus uhdei 'Thomlinson' | No | Large |
| Southern Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | No | Large |
| London Plane Tree | Platanus x hispanica 'Columbia' | No | Large |
| Chilean Mesquite | Prosopis chilensis | No | Large |
(B) No species other than those included in the foregoing list may be planted as street trees without the written approval of the Director of Public Works. All street trees and shrubs planted in city-owned parkways and rights-of-way shall be approved by the Director of Public Works.
(C) In selecting a species of tree or shrub for planting, priority shall be given to planting native trees. Tree selections should consider appropriately sized trees for the available right-of-way or parkway (see § 12.44.020 Spacing), required clearance for the mature tree canopy, environmental conditions, oil type, and presence of irrigation. All plantings of street trees and shrubs in city-owned parkways and rights-of-way are subject to the advance review and approval of the Director of Public Works who may, in his or her discretion, permit the planting of trees other than the identified native trees in appropriate circumstances.
(`83 Code, § 12.44.010) (Ord. 87-38 § 2 (part), 1987; Ord. 2020-08 §§ 2, 3, 2020)
§ 12.44.020 SPACING.¶
(A) The spacing of street trees shall be determined by the size classification of the species set forth in § 12.44.010. Trees classified as small shall be spaced at least 30 feet apart; those classified as medium shall be spaced at least 40 feet apart; and those classified as large shall be spaced at least 50 feet apart. If the Director of Public Works approves the planting of a species that is not set forth in § 12.44.010, the Director shall determine the appropriate spacing requirement based on the size of the tree. Where existing neighboring trees fall in different size classifications, the spacing requirement for the larger tree shall govern. A smaller spacing distance may be approved by the Director of Public Works.
(B) The distance trees may be planted from curblines and sidewalks shall be determined by the size classification of the species set forth in § 12.44.010 of this code. Trees classified as small shall be planted at least two feet from any curb or sidewalk; those classified as medium shall be planted at least three feet from any curb or sidewalk; and those classified as large shall be planted at least four feet from any curb or sidewalk.
(`83 Code, § 12.44.020) (Ord. 87-38 § 2 (part), 1987; Ord. 2020-08 § 5, 2020)
§ 12.44.030 REMOVAL OF STUMPS.¶
All stumps of street trees shall be removed below the surface of the ground so that the top of the stump does not project above the surface of the ground.
(`83 Code, § 12.44.030) (Ord. 87-38 § 2 (part), 1987)
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