Consideration and possible action to
Introduce Ordinance No. 1459 –An
Ordinance adding Chapter 12.45 to the
Bellflower Municipal Code governing public
tree management for the City of Bellflower
July 13, 2026
Background
•On April 27, 2026, City Council adopted the City’s first -ever Urban Forest Master Plan (“UFMP”) after several months of development
•The City Council also directed the City Manager to schedule a future agenda item to consider codifying several key items and regulations in the adopted UFMP into the Bellflower Municipal Code.
•The proposed ordinance establishes the City’s regulatory framework for the management, maintenance, protection and replacement of public trees to ensure that the City’s urban forest is maintained in a safe, healthy and sustainable condition.
•The development and approval of the ordinance also represents the final requirement needed for Bellflower to obtain the Tree City USA designation.
Ordinance Highlights
•Designates the Director of Public Works as the responsible authority for public tree management and implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan, including the planting, maintenance and removal of public trees, review plans that may affect public trees, issue or deny permits, impose permit conditions, maintain all records and databases for the City’s urban forest and enforce the BMC.
•Establishes a permitting process for any activities involving or affecting public trees, including any person wishing to plant, prune, root prune, trim, thin or apply pesticides to a public tree.
•A permit would also be required for any construction, demolition, relocation, repair or other improvement on City of private property that may affect a public tree. •Identifies prohibited activities and conditions including unauthorized damage, removal, pruning, topping, stubbing or other harm caused to a public tree. •Establishes enforcement provisions to protect the City’s urban forest and hold responsible parties liable for unlawful removal or damage to a public tree.
Tree City USA Designation Requirements
In order to be eligible for the Tree City USA designation, municipalities must demonstrate the following:
•Standard 1 –Maintaining a tree board or department
•Standard 2 –Having a public tree care ordinance in place •Standard 3 –Spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry •Standard 4 -Establish an Arbor Day observance and proclamation Currently, standards 1, 3 & 4 are in place or met. An approved ordinance is the final necessary piece needed prior to submitting the City’s application this September when the application period opens up.