Anaheim's Tree Protection: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles tree protection a little differently. In Anaheim, California, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Protected Tree Species

In Anaheim's Santa Ana Canyon Scenic Corridor (SC) Overlay Zone, a City permit is required before destroying a 'Specimen Tree,' defined as any oak 25 inches or more in trunk circumference, or any pepper or sycamore 50 inches or more in circumference, measured four feet above grade.

Key details: Governing section: AMC § 18.18.040. Protected oak size: 25+ inch circumference trunk. Protected pepper/sycamore size: 50+ inch circumference trunk. Applies in: Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone only. Discretionary permit term: Valid 1 year from issuance.

Destroying a Specimen Tree in the SC Overlay Zone without an approved Administrative or Discretionary Specimen Tree Removal Permit violates Section 18.18.040(.020). The City can require replacement planting under the Table 18-A ratios and species restricted to Tables 18-B or 18-C, and a Discretionary Permit denial by the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council under Chapter 18.60.

Parkway Planting

Anaheim requires the adjacent property owner to landscape and maintain the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb under Municipal Code Sec. 18.46.150, limiting materials to lawn, artificial turf, ground cover, low shrubs, and approved trees.

Key details: Maintenance duty: Nearest adjacent property owner. Lawn height limit: 4 inches. Shrub height limit: 2 feet above curb. Walkway width cap: 5 feet at a single crossing. Governing section: Municipal Code Sec. 18.46.150.

Parkway landscaping that exceeds the two-foot shrub height, that uses unapproved materials, or that is left dead or unmaintained can be ordered replaced by the Planning and Public Works Director under Sec. 18.46.150.040. Property owners who fail to comply with a replacement order face code enforcement citations and, if the condition affects sight distance or creates a hazard, the city can perform the correction and bill the owner.

Heritage & Protected Trees

The Anaheim City Council can designate any tree on public property as a 'landmark tree' based on its age, size, species or historical value, and once designated, a landmark tree cannot be removed without Council approval and specific findings under Chapter 11.12 of the Municipal Code.

Key details: Governing chapter: AMC Ch. 11.12. Who designates: City Council, on Community Services Director recommendation. Eligible trees: Trees on public property only. Removal requires: Council approval + specific finding. Adopted: Ord. 5747, Dec. 12, 2000.

Removing a designated landmark tree without prior City Council approval and one of the five required findings violates Section 11.12.020. The Council may condition any approved removal on replacement planting, a maintenance program for remaining landmark trees, or a funding dedication for new planting stock under Section 11.12.030.

The Bottom Line

Anaheim's tree protection rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Anaheim is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Anaheim can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.