How Lodi Handles Tree Protection: A Practical Guide

Lodi maintains 117 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with tree protection. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Lodi falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tree Removal Permits

Lodi only regulates removal of City trees (any tree 50% or more within the public right-of-way). An encroachment permit from Public Works is required to remove a parkway/street tree; trees entirely on private property are not regulated for removal.

Key details: Permit required (public ROW tree): Yes — encroachment permit from Public Works. Permit required (fully private tree): No. Encroachment permit fee: $125 (sidewalk/driveway category). Definition of 'City tree': 50%+ of trunk within public right-of-way at ground surface. Issuing department: Public Works, 221 W Pine St, Lodi.

Removing or altering a City tree without an encroachment permit is a municipal code violation handled by Public Works and Code Enforcement; the City may recover restoration costs from the violator and bill removal/replanting costs to the property owner. Repeat or willful damage to City trees may be prosecuted as an infraction or misdemeanor under the Lodi Municipal Code general penalty provisions.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Lodi has no heritage tree ordinance. The City regulates only trees in the public right-of-way under its 2016 Public Works Tree Policy; there is no designation, mapping, size threshold, or special permit for 'heritage,' 'specimen,' or 'landmark' trees on private property.

Key details: Heritage tree ordinance: No — Lodi has none. Size threshold for protection: None on private property. Donated City trees: Donor notified before removal (Tree Policy §II.C.2). State preemption: California has no statewide heritage tree mandate for cities.

No heritage-tree-specific violation exists. Removal of a mature tree on private property in Lodi requires no City permit and carries no fine. (Hazardous-tree abatement orders under the Tree Policy may apply if a private tree threatens public improvements.)

Lodi is more permissive than most cities when it comes to heritage & protected trees. That said, there are still limits.

Tree Replacement Requirements

When a parkway tree is removed (either by the City or by a property owner with an encroachment permit), the City replaces it at its own expense as part of the tree planting program. No replacement is required for trees removed from private property.

Key details: Parkway replacement: City-funded; from approved tree list. Private property replacement: Not required. Minimum replacement size: 15 gallon container. Minimum tree well: 25 sq ft (5'x5') or 24 sq ft (4'x6'). Watering responsibility: Abutting property owner (Tree Policy §I).

Failure of an abutting owner to water a newly planted parkway tree can result in the City billing replacement costs if the tree dies from neglect (under the property owner watering duty in Tree Policy §I). Planting an unapproved species in the parkway without written Streets Division approval is a Lodi Municipal Code violation.

Protected Tree Species

Lodi has no ordinance designating any tree species (oak, sycamore, redwood, valley oak, etc.) as protected. There is no local valley oak ordinance, and the California statewide oak woodlands CEQA statute applies only to county-level project reviews, not city projects.

Key details: Protected species list: None. Valley oak protection: None within City limits. County oak ordinance applies: No — San Joaquin Co. Code §9-1505 covers unincorporated only. State preemption: PRC § 21083.4 applies to counties, not Lodi. Federal nest protection: 16 U.S.C. § 703 still applies during removal.

No species-protection violation exists in Lodi. Removal of any species on private property is not regulated by the City. Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) still prohibits destroying active bird nests during removal, regardless of local rules.

Lodi is more permissive than most cities when it comes to protected tree species. That said, there are still limits.

Parkway Planting

Planting in the parkway (strip between curb and sidewalk) requires use of a species from the City's approved street tree list, minimum 15-gallon container, minimum 5'x5' or 4'x6' tree well, and written approval from the Streets Division Supervisor for any non-listed species.

Key details: Approved species list: Required — maintained by Public Works (updated 2/12/25). Minimum container size: 15 gallon. Minimum tree well: 25 sq ft (5'x5') or 24 sq ft (4'x6'). Preferred tree well: 36 sq ft (6'x6') up to 100 sq ft (10'x10'). Under power lines: Low-growing, 20-40 ft max mature height.

Planting an unapproved species or a tree below 15-gallon size without Streets Division approval is a code violation; the City may require removal at owner expense. Failure to maintain 10 ft sidewalk clearance or 14 ft street clearance on trees over public ways can trigger a notice to trim under Tree Policy enforcement; if not corrected, the City may trim the tree and charge costs back to the property owner.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Lodi gives residents more room on tree protection. 2 of the 5 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Lodi's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.