For up-to-date information on upcoming  and active city-wide weed abatements, visit our Fire Safety Weed Abatement Webpage

Weed abatement services differ from landscape maintenance services and are performed by different vendors. Weed abatement services have the goal to complete more of a clearing of an area, such as clearance that is needed to reduce flashy fuels and to create spacing between shrubs and trees and reduce fire risk, and weed abatement services are completed once per year. Alternatively, landscape maintenance services are for more manicured and more detailed areas throughout the City and are completed periodically throughout the year.

No-Fee Weed Abatement Permits

In light of the devastating January 2025 Los Angeles area fires and increased risk of wildfires in the region, removal of weeds and other fuels is important to protect the Parklands and adjacent homes. At the April 8, 2025, meeting City Council adopted Resolution No. R25-09 amending the Parklands and Encroachment Policy and approving a temporary no-fee weed abatement permit program allowing residents to perform additional weed abatement on public property.  

This process serves a public purpose by performing weed abatement services otherwise performed and paid for by the City while also mitigating wildfire risk. The program removes impediments and red tape for residents who wish to perform this type of work, and should benefit the City and public safety. 

In summary, private persons may hire licensed and bonded contractors to perform weed abatement in Parklands.

Program Requirements

Under the pilot program, a private person must first file a Weed Abatement Intake Form with the Public Works Department for permission to remove weeds from Parklands.  Tree trimming is not authorized as part of this program, and the specific work will have to be identified and approved by the City prior to the issuance of a permit.  

The follow limitations apply to all no-fee permits issued under the Weed Abatement Program:

1. Only licensed and bonded contractors may apply on behalf of a private person (e.g. a property owner, non-profit organization, etc.) to perform weed abatement in Parklands.
2. Only living or dead weeds of species eligible for removal (as indicated in the most recent Weed Abatement Removal Matrix on file with the City) may be removed.
3. Only dead shrubs of species eligible for removal (as indicated in the most recent Weed Abatement Removal Matrix of file with the City) may be removed.
4. Only living shrubs of species eligible for removal (as indicated in the most recent Weed Abatement Removal Matrix of file with the City) may be removed.
5. No living or dead trees or portions of trees may be removed. For purposes of the Weed Abatement Program, “trees” has the same meaning as “trees or shrubs” and “street trees” defined in PVEMC 12.16.20.
6. If the area of weed abatement is adjacent to private property, the work may only be performed within 50 feet of the property line, and only with the written authorization of the property owner(s).
7. Before and after photos must be submitted by the contractor. 

Should contractors and private individuals violate the program terms or deviate or exceed the authorized scope of work, they will be subject to the same escalating administrative fines established for vegetative encroachments (Resolution R2129) of up to $5,000 per violation. Contractors who perform work that violates the scope and conditions of the permit will be ineligible to obtain another permit for a period of 2 years. The Public Works Director may also, in his/her sole discretion, permanently ban contractors from the program if they violate the permit scope and conditions or any city policy or ordinance.  

How to Apply

1. Requestor fills out the weed abatement intake form. 
2. Selected contractor fills out public encroachment permit. 
3. Once both documents are processed and approved by the Urban Forester and Engineering Division, work way commence with program requirements in mind. 

VIEW THE CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE MAP

The City of Palos Verdes Estates maintains an extensive network of public landscapes that are integral to our community's distinctive character and exceptional quality of life. Our maintenance responsibilities encompass public parklands, street medians, open spaces, walking paths, and parkways throughout the City. Professional landscape maintenance of these areas is essential for preserving both the aesthetic appeal of our City and the safety of our residents. Through proper system-wide maintenance, irrigation management, and horticultural care, we protect our community's investment in these valuable assets while preventing erosion, managing water consumption, and ensuring our landscape features remain healthy and sustainable.

The City of Palos Verdes Estates has contracted with Bennett Landscape to perform these vital maintenance services, with direct oversight provided by our Public Works Department. This arrangement allows the City to maintain our high standards of landscape care while ensuring efficient use of public resources. Our Public Works Department actively manages the contractor's performance, ensuring all work meets the City's specifications and our community's expectations. Through this carefully structured approach, we maintain the beauty and functionality of our public spaces while demonstrating responsible stewardship of both our natural resources and public funds.

One of the tools being utilized by Bennett Landscape to enhance maintenance services is the application of herbicides in specific areas throughout the City of Palos Verdes Estates. We recognize that effective herbicide application requires careful planning and attention to detail, which is why these applications are closely monitored and controlled. While herbicide use will be limited in scope, we understand that residents may have questions or concerns about this practice. For this reason, we have established a direct communication channel with our contractor.

Residents who have questions about herbicide applications may contact Bennett Landscape directly by completing THIS FORM and sending it to: 

engineering@pvestates.org and customerservice@bennett-landscape.com.

Our Urban Forester oversees the care of trees on public property, including routine pruning, hazard removal, and emergency response. Only contractors with the proper contractor’s license, insurance, and a City business license may trim or remove City trees once the Parklands Committee or Urban Forester have approved the proposed work.

If you would like to determine whether a tree is located on public property:

Please contact our Urban Forester at (310) 378-0383 or via email at cmoritz@pvestates.org

If you have concerns regarding a tree located on private property:

Please contact the Palos Verdes Homes Association at (310) 373-6721

During the June 10, 2025 meeting, the City Council approved a $364,000 contract renewal agreement for citywide tree trimming and maintenance services with Travers Tree Service Inc. through June 30, 2026. The City has an existing contract with Travers, which was initially awarded June 23, 2021.

To request to trim a public tree or to report a concern regarding a tree, please complete Section 1 of the Tree Intake Form on the right and submit it via email to engineering@pvestates.org.

For questions, contact (310) 750-9821 or email engineering@pvestates.org.

TREE TRIMMING & REMOVAL DO'S

• Check where your property line is located and verify ownership of the tree.  Although the tree appears to be in your yard or on private property, the tree may actually be a public tree located in the public right-of-way or parklands.  Contact Urban Forester Carl Moritz at (310) 750-9813 cmoritz@pvestates.org to confirm ownership of the tree.
  
  
• If a tree is confirmed to be private property, contact the Palos Verdes Homes Association and Art Jury (PVHA) at (310) 373-6721 for next steps.  The PVHA’s contact information and hours are available on their website, www.pvha.org.
  
  
• Get a proposal from a qualified tree trimming company for standard trimming.  Standard trimming means no height reduction, no topping, and no aggressive thinning, which is typically more than 25% reduction of the density. The City requires contractors to have a business license, a C61/D49 tree trimming specialty contractor’s license, liability insurance of $1,000,000, and Workmen’s Compensation.
  
  
• If a tree is public, determine if Parklands Committee approval is required.  If a tree is not immediately adjacent to your property (i.e., in an area that appears to be your front or side yard), if the tree is adjacent to your neighbor’s property, or if you wish to remove the tree, top the tree, or trim the tree in excess of what the City considers to be “standard trimming,” Parklands Committee approval is required. Contact Urban Forester Carl Moritz at (310) 750-9813 or cmoritz@pvestates.org for additional information and to discuss the request. A permit application to the Parklands Committee and payment of the applicable fees is required.

  If a tree is adjacent to your neighbor’s property and the request is to complete standard trimming only, written permission from the property owner adjacent to the tree can be submitted to the City for review and may waive the requirement for Parklands Committee approval.

  After submission of the application, the request will be reviewed by the Parklands Committee. Action taken by the Parklands Committee is advisory. PVE City Council will take action on all items at a subsequent City Council meeting.

• If Parklands Committee approval is not required, or after the Parklands Committee recommends approval and City Council takes action on the approval, hire a qualified tree trimming company and the tree trimming company will request the applicable type of tree trimming permit from the City.

  The City requires contractors to have a business license, a C61/D49 tree trimming specialty contractor’s license, liability insurance of $1,000,000, and Workmen’s Compensation.

  There are multiple types of permits, such as tree trimming, tree topping, and tree removal, and there are different fees associated with each permit type and the extent of trimming that is to be completed. Permits can be applied for, and the associated fees can be paid in person at City Hall.  If you have not done so already, it is recommended that requests be discussed with Urban Forester Carl Moritz prior to applying for a permit. 

• Schedule the work for the season appropriate for the species of tree(s) to be trimmed. This will be discussed with Urban Forester Carl Moritz when applying for a permit or when reviewing an application to the Parklands Committee.
  
  
• Schedule the work for the season appropriate for bird nesting season and conduct a bird nest survey prior to any work.  Bird nesting season is February through September, so this time of year should be avoided. In California some bird nests can be found at any time of year, so a bird nest survey is needed any time of year.
  
  
• Stop all work if active bird nests are found and reschedule the tree trimming or removal.  It is illegal to destroy a nest or eggs of any bird, and violators are subject to Federal, State, and local enforcement.
  
  
• Stop all work if a tree is within 50 feet of an active Songbird nest or 500 feet of an active Raptor nest.  Songbirds and Raptors are protected, and tree trimming is not permitted near their nests. Violators are subject to Federal, State, and local enforcement.

TREE TRIMMING & REMOVAL DON'TS

• DO NOT TRIM OR REMOVE A TREE WITHOUT CHECKING IF IT IS A PUBLIC TREE.

• DO NOT TRIM OR REMOVE ANY PUBLIC TREES WITHOUT THE REQUIRED PERMIT(S) FROM THE CITY.
  
  
• DO NOT HIRE AN UNQUALIFIED CONTRACTOR.
  
  
• DO NOT TRIM A TREE DURING THE INCORRECT SEASON FOR THE SPECIES OF THE TREE.
  
  
• DO NOT TRIM OR REMOVE A TREE WITH AN ACTIVE BIRD NEST, WITHIN 50 FEET OF A SONGBIRD NEST, OR WITHIN 500 FEET OF A RAPTOR NEST.

For questions, please contact Urban Forester, Carl Moritz at (310) 750-9813 or cmoritz@pvestates.org.

The Palos Verdes peafowl population was introduced to the PV Peninsula by community founder Frank Vanderlip in 1924. Vanderlip received a gift of 16 peafowl from the daughter of William Wrigley Jr., who had maintained an aviary on Catalina Island. These birds were eventually released into the wild after the death of Frank Vanderlip in 1937. 

Over time, the peafowl population grew and spread across the Palos Verdes Peninsula, including areas like Malaga Cove and Espinosa Circle in Palos Verdes Estates. Recognizing the need to manage the burgeoning population, the city enacted a Peafowl Management Plan in 1986. This plan, overseen by the Police Department, involves semi-annual censuses and a trapping and relocation program to maintain a balanced peafowl population in two distinct locations: Malaga Cove and Luanda Bay. Today, the peafowl remain a distinctive and cherished feature of the community, contributing to the unique character of Palos Verdes Estates.

To report a concern regarding peafowls:

Contact Palos Verdes Estates' Maintenance Foreman at (310) 378-0383 or via email at amendoza@pvestates.org

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April 2025 Census                                           October 2024 Census

October 2024 Census

December 2023 Census

June 2023 Census

June 2022 Census

November 2021 Census

June 2021 Census

December 2020 Census

June 2020 Census

The Palos Verdes peafowl population was introduced to the PV Peninsula by community founder Frank Vanderlip in 1924. Vanderlip received a gift of 16 peafowl from the daughter of William Wrigley Jr., who had maintained an aviary on Catalina Island. These birds were eventually released into the wild after the death of Frank Vanderlip in 1937. 

Over time, the peafowl population grew and spread across the Palos Verdes Peninsula, including areas like Malaga Cove and Espinosa Circle in Palos Verdes Estates. Recognizing the need to manage the burgeoning population, the city enacted a Peafowl Management Plan in 1986. This plan, overseen by the Police Department, involves semi-annual censuses and a trapping and relocation program to maintain a balanced peafowl population in two distinct locations: Malaga Cove and Luanda Bay. Today, the peafowl remain a distinctive and cherished feature of the community, contributing to the unique character of Palos Verdes Estates.

To report a concern regarding peafowls:

Contact Palos Verdes Estates' Maintenance Foreman at (310) 378-0383 or via email at amendoza@pvestates.org