Indian Wells City Council considers amending tree-trimming ordinance

The Indian Wells City Council is considering amendments to the city’s tree-trimming and property-maintenance regulations to better protect local wildlife and ensure compliance with state and federal laws.

Currently, municipal code requires landowners to trim date palms by June 30 and Washingtonia palms by July 30. However, wildlife biologists from the Desert Wildlife Center have informed the council that these deadlines coincide with the annual bird-nesting season, which runs from February 1 through August 31 according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Under the California Fish and Game Code and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the unintentional destruction of active nests, eggs, or breeding habitats can result in legal violations. To mitigate this risk, city staff has recommended moving the annual trimming deadline to a single date of October 1. The proposed ordinance also suggests that if trimming must occur during nesting season, a qualified biologist must inspect the vegetation to ensure no active nests or fledglings are present.