Tree Protection in Berkeley, CA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Berkeley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal Permits
Berkeley protects most public trees and significant private trees over specific size thresholds, requiring a permit from Public Works or Parks before removal and replacement planting in many cases.
Tree Removal Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsHeritage & Protected Trees
Berkeley designates heritage and significant trees with extra protections including coast live oak, California buckeye, and any tree over a specified trunk size, requiring discretionary review for any removal.
Heritage and Significant Tree Protections
Heavy RestrictionsTree Replacement Requirements
Berkeley generally prohibits removal of protected coast live oak trees under BMC Chapter 6.52. When a narrow exception is granted (such as an affordable-housing development that genuinely cannot avoid the tree), the developer must replant a replacement coast live oak on the project site or another City-approved location selected at the City Manager's discretion.
Berkeley Coast Live Oak Replacement Requirement
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berkeley city rules.
Tree Protection in Alameda County →