Tree Protection in Berkeley, CA (2026)
2 verified tree protection rules for Berkeley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Protected Tree Species
Berkeley has banned removal of Coast Live Oak trees since 1996 under BMC Chapter 6.52: any single-stem oak 18 inches or more in circumference, or multi-stem oak totaling 26 inches or more, cannot be cut down absent a narrow City Manager exception.
Berkeley Coast Live Oak Removal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 6.52.010
A. A Moratorium is declared on the removal of any single stem Coast Live Oak tree of a circumference of 18 inches or more and any multi-stemmed Coast Live Oak with an aggregate circumference of 26 inches or more at a distance of four feet up from the ground within the City of Berkeley. B. Any pruning of a Coast Live Oak that is excessive and injurious to the tree is prohibited. Excessive and in...
Parkway Planting
Planting a tree, shrub or plant in a Berkeley street parking strip, or paving over it, both require written permission from the Director of Recreation and Parks first. The Director gets to pick the kind, variety and size of anything planted, and the code defines the "park" or parking strip as the area between the property line and the roadway, minus sidewalk and curb.
Berkeley Parkway Tree Planting Permit
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 12.44.010
It is unlawful for any person to plant any tree, shrub or plant in or upon any street, parking strip, public square, park or playground, without first having obtained permission therefor from the Director of Recreation and Parks of the City, who shall designate the kind, variety and size of the tree, shrub or plant to be planted.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berkeley city rules.
Tree Protection in Alameda County →