Tree Protection in Chico, CA (2026)
5 verified tree protection rules for Chico, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal Permits
Chico Municipal Code Ch. 16.66 (Tree Preservation Regulations) requires a permit from the Urban Forest Manager before removing any protected tree on regulated property. CMC Ch. 14.40 governs trees in the public right-of-way (street trees), which also require a city permit to remove or plant. Emergency hazard removals authorized by the city manager, fire chief, police chief, public works director, community development director, urban forest manager, or code enforcement officer are exempt.
Tree removal permit required citywide
Heavy RestrictionsHeritage & Protected Trees
CMC Ch. 16.68 (Voluntary Heritage Tree Program), established by CMC 16.68.010, identifies, promotes public awareness of, maintains, and protects designated Heritage Trees on public and private property. Any person may apply (with property owner's signed consent if not the owner). The Urban Forest Manager reviews and forwards to the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission, which recommends to City Council for designation. Designated heritage trees may only be removed under Ch. 16.66.
Voluntary Heritage Tree Program (CMC 16.68)
Some RestrictionsTree Replacement Requirements
CMC 16.66.085 (Tree Replacement) requires that for every six inches in DBH (diameter at breast height) removed, a new 15-gallon tree shall be planted on-site. If on-site replanting is infeasible, payment of an in-lieu fee per the Council-adopted fee schedule is required. Replacement species must be similar to those removed unless the urban forest manager approves an alternative.
Replacement at 1 tree per 6 inches DBH removed
Heavy RestrictionsProtected Tree Species
Under CMC Ch. 16.66 (Tree Preservation Regulations), Native Oak (Quercus) species or Sycamore (Platanus) species at 36-inch DBH (single trunk) or 36-inch cumulative DBH (multi-trunk) in good health and structure are protected — they cannot be removed without a permit and trigger automatic Heritage Tree status. This local layer is substantially more protective than the California state forestry baseline (CCR Title 14).
Native oak and sycamore protection at 36-inch DBH
Heavy RestrictionsParkway Planting
Planting a tree in the parkway (the strip between sidewalk and curb) or anywhere in the public right-of-way requires a permit from the City of Chico Public Works (Park Division) under CMC Ch. 14.40 (Street Trees). Species must be selected from the city's Approved Street and Parking Lot Tree List, adopted by the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission under CMC 14.40.080. Subdivision and development projects also trigger street tree planting under CMC 18R.08.090 and CMC 19.68.
Parkway/street tree planting under CMC Ch. 14.40
Some RestrictionsLooking for Butte County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chico city rules.
Tree Protection in Butte County →