Who Is Responsible For Trees Around Power Lines in LA County?

Trees add beauty, shade, and value to our neighborhoods, but when they grow too close to power lines, they can become a major hazard. Overgrown branches can lead to power outages, fire risks, and even dangerous electrocutions. So, who is responsible for keeping trees trimmed near power lines in Los Angeles County?

Utility Companies vs. Property Owners: Who Does What?

In California, responsibility for tree maintenance near power lines depends on the location of the trees and the type of power lines involved.

Utility Companies (Southern California Edison & LADWP)

Major utility providers like Southern California Edison (SCE) and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) are responsible for maintaining trees near high-voltage power lines. These are the main transmission and distribution lines that run along streets and highways.

Routine Tree Trimming: Utility companies conduct regular inspections and trim trees that pose a risk to their infrastructure.
Emergency Maintenance: If a tree falls on power lines, causing a dangerous situation, the utility company will send a crew to remove it.
Fire Prevention: In wildfire-prone areas, utilities are required to keep vegetation clear around power lines to reduce fire hazards.

If you see a tree growing dangerously close to power lines, you can report it to:

Southern California Edison: (800) 655-4555
LADWP: (800) DIAL-DWP (342-5397)

Property Owners

For trees located on private property, owners are generally responsible for trimming and maintenance—but only if the trees are near lower-voltage service lines (the lines that connect individual homes to the main power grid).

Private Trees & Service Lines: If a tree on your property is growing too close to these lines, you may need to hire a licensed tree trimming service. Never attempt to trim trees near power lines yourself—this can be extremely dangerous!
City-Owned Trees: If the tree is on public land (such as a parkway or sidewalk), the local city or county may be responsible. Check with your city’s public works or forestry department.

What About Fire Risk in High-Risk Areas?

Los Angeles County has many high fire-risk zones, especially in hillside and canyon areas. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requires strict vegetation management in these regions. Utilities must maintain a 4-foot clearance around power lines year-round, expanding up to 12 feet in high fire-risk conditions.

If you live in a wildfire-prone area, you should also keep trees and shrubs properly maintained to avoid contributing to fire hazards.

What To Do If You See a Hazardous Tree?

If you spot a tree dangerously close to power lines, do not attempt to trim it yourself. Instead:

Report it to the utility company (SCE or LADWP) if it’s near major power lines.
Contact your local city department if it’s a street tree.
Hire a professional like Beach Cities Tree Care if the tree is on your property.

Stay Safe & Stay Informed

Tree-related power outages and wildfires are preventable with proper maintenance. If you’re unsure who is responsible for a tree near power lines, always check with your utility company or city. Taking action now can help prevent dangerous situations in the future. We are more than happy to come by and take a look just give us a call - (424) 310-9392.

Beach Cities Tree Care is locally owned & insured. We continue to expand our offerings to provide the very best tree services in the South Bay and surrounding areas. Give us a call, you will not be disappointed!

Beach Cities Tree Care - (424) 310-9392