This comes up regularly across the Peninsula’s hillside neighborhoods, and the answer is nuanced. In most cases, branches that extend over your property line can be trimmed back to that line – but local ordinances vary, and some cities require neighbor consent or permits for protected species regardless of where the branches extend. We can assess what is legally permissible for your specific address, perform the work within your rights, and provide arborist documentation if the situation involves any dispute.

One caution on self-help: California law lets you trim to the property line, but not in a way that destabilizes or kills the tree – that can create liability for you. A written agreement with the neighbor before work starts is the cleanest path, and view work is often worth proposing as a shared cost.