Tree Removal Permit Requirements in California (CA)
California has a strict level of tree removal regulation. The state has a tree protection law: No statewide permit for ordinary private tree removal; CEQA requires review/mitigation of oak-woodland impacts from discretionary projects (Pub. Resources Code 21083.4), the Native Plant Protection Act bars taking state-listed rare/threatened/endangered native plants without a permit, and Coastal Act permits apply within the coastal zone. Local jurisdictions set their own tree-removal permit rules.. California has no statewide law protecting a general list of tree species - such as Coast Live Oak, Valley Oak, California black walnut, sycamore, or bay laurel - from removal on private property. The Native Plant Protection Act (Fish & Game Code ch. 10) bars taking only the roughly 225 species the Fish and Game Commission has formally listed as rare, threatened, or endangered; common oaks and sycamores are not on that list. CEQA's oak-woodland provision (Pub. Resources Code 21083.4) requires counties to assess and mitigate oak-woodland impacts from discretionary projects - an environmental-review duty on public agencies, not a removal permit for private landowners. The Coastal Act adds vegetation-removal review within the designated coastal zone only. The specific species, diameter thresholds (e.g. 24" DBH), and fines up to $100,000 per tree seen below are set by individual city/county ordinances, not state law.
Key Requirements in California
Tree Regulations by City in California
Some cities in California have stricter tree regulations than the state average. Local ordinances often apply on top of any state-level rules. Check the specific city requirements below before removing any trees.
| City | Regulation Level | Local Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Stricter than state | Very Strict | Protected trees include oaks, sycamores, black walnuts, California bay laurel. Permit required for any protected tree over 4" diameter. Shrub-form oaks with trunks 2"+ also protected. Fine up to $100,000 per tree. |
| San Francisco | Strict | Significant tree ordinance: permit needed for trees over 12" diameter on private property. Landmark tree protections apply. Street tree removal requires DPW approval. |
| San Jose | Strict | Tree removal permit required for any ordinance-size tree (56" circumference at 4.5' height) on private property. Heritage trees have additional protection. |
| Sacramento | Strict | Heritage tree ordinance protects trees 24" DBH or larger, or any tree 32"+ circumference on private property. Permit and arborist report required. |
| San Diego | Moderate | Heritage tree ordinance protects trees 60"+ circumference. Development projects require tree surveys and mitigation for removals. |
California Tree Removal: State Law Is Mostly Silent — Cities Aren't
No state statute makes a homeowner get a permit to remove an ordinary tree from residential land. California's state-level rules attach in four specific situations:
- Commercial harvest: the Forest Practice Act (Pub. Res. Code § 4511 et seq.) requires a registered-forester-prepared timber harvesting plan before "timber operations" — defined as cutting for commercial purposes (§ 4527), so selling the logs is what triggers it, not the species or size. Exemptions cover dead/dying/diseased trees, fuel breaks within 150 feet of a permitted structure, and a one-time conversion of less than 3 acres to non-timber use (once per person per 5 years, § 4584).
- Timberland conversion: devoting timberland to another use requires a conversion application to the Board of Forestry (§ 4621).
- Coastal zone: "removal of major vegetation" is "development" under the Coastal Act (§ 30106) and can require a coastal development permit.
- Oak woodlands: development projects converting oak woodlands (native oaks 5″+ DBH) get county CEQA scrutiny and mitigation (§ 21083.4) — aimed at projects, not routine homeowner removals.
On redwoods specifically — the most-asked question about this page: there is no statute protecting coast redwood as a species in your yard. Commercial redwood harvest runs through the Forest Practice Act, and coastal cities and counties commonly protect redwoods above size thresholds by ordinance. Whether your redwood needs a permit is a city-hall question.
City Ordinances: Where Homeowners Actually Get Fined
- Los Angeles: the protected tree and shrub ordinance (Ord. No. 186873) protects Southern California native species at just 4 inches cumulative trunk diameter: native oaks (except scrub oak), Southern California black walnut, western sycamore, and California bay — plus two shrubs, Mexican elderberry and toyon. "Removal" includes anything that kills the plant (root damage, grading in the drip line, poisons), and relocation or removal requires Board of Public Works approval (LAFD guidance).
- San Francisco: a "significant tree" — any private tree within 10 feet of the public right-of-way that is 20 ft tall, 15 ft wide, or 12″ DBH — requires a Public Works permit to remove (SF Public Works). Street-tree removals require a permit, 30 days of posted notice, and a hearing if anyone objects (street tree removal).
- San Jose and most other cities regulate by trunk size — thresholds vary enough that you should pull your own city's municipal code before booking an arborist.
Boundary Trees and Fire Rules: The Statutes to Know
- Ownership is statutory: trunk wholly on your land → your tree, even if the roots feed next door (Civ. Code § 833); trunk on the line → owned in common (§ 834), so line trees need both owners' consent.
- Wrongful cutting: Civ. Code § 3346 makes treble damages the standard for wrongful injury to another's trees, dropping to double for casual/involuntary trespass or a good-faith boundary mistake.
- Fire can override everything: in State Responsibility Areas, Pub. Res. Code § 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space (with an ember-resistant zone in the first 5 feet), and the State Fire Marshal may authorize removal of non-compliant vegetation with the expense becoming a lien on the property. In LA, fire-clearance work must still comply with the protected-tree ordinance — the two regimes interact rather than cancel.
Practical path: identify the species and trunk size → check your city/county tree ordinance (protected-species lists and size thresholds do the real work in California) → for line trees, get the neighbor's written consent per §§ 833–834 → in fire country, handle § 4291 defensible-space obligations with the protected-tree rules in mind, not instead of them.
Sources
- Pub. Res. Code § 4584 — Forest Practice Act exemptions (official text)
- Civ. Code § 3346 — damages for wrongful injury to trees
- Pub. Res. Code § 4291 — defensible space
- Los Angeles Ord. No. 186873 — protected tree and shrub ordinance (PDF)
- SF Public Works — significant and landmark trees
Statutes and city ordinances last reviewed August 2026.
How California Compares to Other States
Below is a comparison of California with five states that have similar tree removal regulation levels. This comparison helps illustrate where California stands nationally.
| State | Regulation | State Law | Protected Species | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California (CA) | Strict | Yes | None specifically listed | No |
| District of Columbia (DC) | Strict | Yes | None specifically listed | Yes |
| Hawaii (HI) | Strict | Yes | None specifically listed | Yes |
| Maryland (MD) | Strict | Yes | None specifically listed | Yes |
| New Jersey (NJ) | Strict | Yes | None specifically listed | Yes |
| Oregon (OR) | Strict | Yes | None specifically listed | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Removal in California
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in California?
California has state-level tree regulations: No statewide permit for ordinary private tree removal; CEQA requires review/mitigation of oak-woodland impacts from discretionary projects (Pub. Resources Code 21083.4), the Native Plant Protection Act bars taking state-listed rare/threatened/endangered native plants without a permit, and Coastal Act permits apply within the coastal zone. Local jurisdictions set their own tree-removal permit rules.. In addition to state rules, your city or county may have its own tree ordinance with additional requirements. Always check local regulations before removing a tree.
What are the fines for illegal tree removal in California?
Fines for unauthorized tree removal in California range from N/A statewide for ordinary tree removal (local ordinances vary; some cities fine up to $100,000 per tree). Penalties may also include mandatory replacement plantings, restoration costs, and in some cases, criminal charges.
Can I remove a dead or dangerous tree in California without a permit?
Yes, California generally allows emergency removal of trees that pose an imminent hazard to life or property. However, you may still need to document the emergency (photographs, arborist assessment) and notify your local authority afterwards. For non-emergency dead tree removal, check whether your municipality still requires a permit.
Check Your Specific City
Tree regulations often vary significantly between cities within California. Use our tree permit lookup tool to find the exact requirements for your city, or browse all 50 states to compare tree regulations across the country. Remember: when state and local rules differ, the stricter rule typically applies.