San Leandro's Tree Protection: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles tree protection a little differently. In San Leandro, California, there are 2 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.

Parkway Planting

San Leandro's parkway strip, the area between curb and sidewalk, holds street trees that are City property, and planting one there privately requires Public Works Director approval and an accepted species under SLMC § 5-2-220. Planting, removing, or injuring a street tree without following the Chapter is an infraction punishable by up to a $1,000 fine.

Key details: Governing sections: SLMC §§ 5-2-100, 5-2-200, 5-2-220. Parkway strip definition: Area between curb and sidewalk. Street tree ownership: City property (§ 5-2-205). Unauthorized planting/removal penalty: Up to $1,000 infraction fine. Private planting approval: Public Works Director + species list.

Planting, removing, pruning, injuring, or destroying a street tree without following Chapter 5-2 is an infraction under § 5-2-200, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, and is separately declared a public nuisance. A resident who removes a City street tree without requesting a replacement must still pay the Administrative Code § 6.4.100 fee for a tree to be planted elsewhere at the City's choosing.

Protected Tree Species

San Leandro has no citywide list of protected tree species; instead, Zoning Code Section 4.16.112.B lets the Site Plan Approval decision-maker require preservation of any "significant" tree on a development site based on its size, age, neighborhood prominence, or habitat value.

Key details: Trigger: Trunk diameter 6+ inches at 4.5 ft. Basis for protection: Size, age, prominence, or habitat value. Decision-maker: Site Plan Approval body, case by case. Drip-line grading: Prohibited without prior approval. Security: Bond may be required for damage/loss.

Grading within a protected tree's drip-line without approval, or removing a tree the decision-maker designated for preservation, is enforced through the City's standard administrative citation process under Section 1-12-415, and the City can also draw on any bond or security posted for the tree under Section 4.16.112.B.2 to fund its replacement.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. San Leandro actively enforces its protected tree species requirements.

The Bottom Line

San Leandro'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 San Leandro is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from San Leandro's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.