San Leandro's Tree Protection: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles tree protection a little differently. In San Leandro, California, there are 6 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.

Tree Ordinances

San Leandro regulates only trees located on public property and within the public right-of-way (street trees). Private-property trees are not regulated — there is no heritage tree ordinance currently in effect. Street tree rules are in SLMC Title 5 Chapter 5-2 and Administrative Code Chapter 12.

Key details: Code Section: SLMC Title 5 Chapter 5-2; Admin. Code Ch. 12. Scope: Street trees only (public right-of-way). Private Trees: No City permit required. Heritage Tree Ordinance: Drafted 2014 - not enacted. Department: Public Works - Tree Division.

Unauthorized removal or topping of a City street tree is a violation of SLMC 5-2 and Administrative Code Chapter 12, with restitution costs typically based on the appraised value of the lost tree under ISA Guide for Plant Appraisal (often $1,000-$10,000+ per tree). No penalties apply to private-tree removal at this time.

San Leandro is more permissive than most cities when it comes to tree ordinances. That said, there are still limits.

Parkway Planting

The parkway strip between curb and sidewalk is public right-of-way; all trees there are City property. Residents may plant a parkway tree only with Public Works Director approval using species from the approved list.

Key details: Parkway trees owned by: City of San Leandro. Code section: SLMC §5-2-215 (Ord. 2019-015). Approval required: Public Works Director. City planting fee: $210 (Master Fee Schedule). Max pruning: 25% canopy; no topping.

SLMC §5-2-200 imposes fines up to $1,000 for unauthorized planting, removal, pruning, injury, or destruction of any street tree — including planting an unapproved species or planting without Director approval. Damage caused by utility operators may also result in restitution claims.

Tree Removal Permits

San Leandro requires an encroachment permit from Public Works to remove any street tree (city-owned trees in the parkway strip), but currently has no permit requirement for trees on private property.

Key details: Permit required for street trees: Yes — encroachment permit. Permit required for private trees: No. Code section: SLMC §5-2-215. Max fine for unauthorized removal: $1,000 (SLMC §5-2-200). Contractor requirement: Licensed D-49 with insurance.

SLMC §5-2-200 establishes a fine of up to $1,000 for unauthorized planting, removal, pruning, injury, or destruction of any street tree. Violations are enforced by the Urban Forestry Division of Public Works and may also require restitution for tree replacement value.

Heritage & Protected Trees

San Leandro has no adopted heritage tree ordinance protecting large or historic trees on private property. A draft 'Protected Tree' ordinance defining trees of 18" diameter or greater has been pending since 2014 but is not yet law.

Key details: Heritage tree ordinance adopted: No. Draft ordinance file: Legistar #14-190 (2014). Proposed protected tree threshold: 18-inch diameter at breast height. General Plan reference: Policy 44.03. Tree Master Plan adopted: January 6, 2025.

No enforcement mechanism exists for heritage trees on private property. Removal of city-owned street trees of any size remains subject to the $1,000 fine under SLMC §5-2-200.

The rules around heritage & protected trees in San Leandro lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Tree Replacement Requirements

When the City removes a street tree, the adjacent property owner may request a free replacement; if no replacement is requested, the owner must pay the $210 Master Fee Schedule planting fee for a city-chosen replacement.

Key details: Replacement required (street trees): Yes — free if owner accepts; $210 if declined. Replacement required (private trees): No. Code section: SLMC §5-2-215 (Ord. 2019-015). City planting fee: $210 (Master Fee Schedule). Species selection: City-approved Street Tree List.

Failure to pay the required $210 replacement fee when declining a replacement tree may be assessed as a delinquent municipal charge. Unauthorized planting of an unapproved species in the right-of-way is subject to the up-to-$1,000 fine under SLMC §5-2-200.

Protected Tree Species

San Leandro has no local protected tree species list. State and federal protections still apply: nesting bird inspections are required before any tree work, and California Public Resources Code protections for native oaks remain in effect.

Key details: Local protected species list: None. Pre-work bird inspection: Required (City Tree Maintenance). Federal law: Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. §703. State law (nests): Cal. Fish & Game Code §3503. Native oak CEQA: Public Resources Code §21083.4.

No local violations for removing any species. State/federal violations: Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations carry federal misdemeanor penalties up to $15,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment; Cal. Fish & Game Code §3503 violations are misdemeanors with fines under §12000 ($1,000) per nest destroyed.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, San Leandro gives residents more room on tree protection. 2 of the 6 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.

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.