Lathrop tree rules and permits

A plain-English guide for Lathrop, California homeowners. Always confirm with the city before work starts. Rules change.

Do you need a permit?

Depends. A tree on a public street, including the parkway strip, needs written permission from the city's Public Works Director before you remove it, and the city can require a replacement tree. The city code has no rule protecting healthy trees on private lots. Call Public Works to confirm before any removal.

Who to ask: City of Lathrop Public Works Department (parkway and street trees) (website)

The rules

• No one may plant, remove, injure or interfere with a tree on a public street without written permission from the Public Works Director.
• A street tree removal permit is good for no more than 90 days after it is issued.
• A street tree removed by a property owner must be replaced with an approved tree, at the owner's cost, within 90 days of the removal permit.
• Dead, decayed, diseased or hazardous trees on private property can count as a public nuisance under the city's property nuisance chapter.
• The city can require trimming or removal of private trees that block street or intersection visibility, after written notice to the owner.
• Garbage service is mandatory in Lathrop. The green cart takes grass, tree trimmings, pruning, leaves, brush and weeds, but not dirt, rocks, concrete or tree stumps.
• Tree work contractors in California should hold a CSLB tree service license (C-61/D49 classification). Check any license on the CSLB site.

HOAs

Newer Lathrop communities such as River Islands are master planned and may have their own landscape rules. Check your HOA rules before you cut.

Call before you dig

USA North 811: dial 811. Call or submit a ticket at least 2 working days before digging, for example before stump grinding or planting a replacement tree. Free to use.

Local conditions

Lathrop has hot, dry summers and mild winters. July highs average about 94 F, and the area gets roughly 14 inches of rain a year. Almost none of that falls in summer.

• Summers are dry, so trees depend on irrigation. Stressed trees can drop limbs or die back.
• Almost no rain falls in July, so cut trees and open wounds dry out fast.
• Winter storms bring wind and wet soil, which is when weak or leaning trees tend to fail.
• Birds nest in many California trees from about February through August. State law bars needlessly destroying a nest, so plan big trims with that in mind.
• Keep people and tools at least 10 feet from power lines. PG&E serves most of Lathrop. River Islands gets electric service from Lathrop Irrigation District.

Good to know

• Lathrop is in San Joaquin County, about 10 miles south of Stockton, and had 28,701 residents in the 2020 census.
• Lathrop has a three-cart system. Republic Services handles residential garbage, recycling and green waste, and the phone is (209) 466-3604.
• Lathrop Irrigation District has provided retail electric service to River Islands since 2013. PG&E serves most other parts of the city.
• PG&E says homeowners are responsible for keeping the service wire to the house clear of trees, and you can ask for a free short power disconnect before work near it. PG&E's tree hazard line is 1-800-743-5000.
• Lathrop's Public Works phone for street tree questions is (209) 941-9430. Code Compliance is (209) 647-6400.
• The city's tree pruning standards for public trees are published by Public Works.