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Tree Protection in Daly City, CA (2026)

5 verified tree protection rules for Daly City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Tree Removal Permits

Daly City regulates removal of trees in the public right-of-way (parkway/street trees) under Title 11 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Municipal Code; a permit from the Department of Public Works is required before any street tree is pruned heavily, topped, or removed. Trees on private residential property are not subject to a citywide heritage-tree permit ordinance, but tree work tied to a planning entitlement (subdivision, design review, or new construction) is governed through Title 14 conditions of approval.

Tree Removal Permits in Daly City

Some Restrictions

Heritage & Protected Trees

Daly City does not have a standalone heritage-tree or landmark-tree ordinance protecting specimen trees on private property. Tree protections in Daly City are limited to trees in the public right-of-way (Title 11) and to trees identified as protected through specific planning approvals under Title 14. San Mateo County's Significant Tree Ordinance applies only in unincorporated county areas, not within Daly City limits.

Heritage Trees in Daly City

Few Restrictions

Tree Replacement Requirements

Daly City requires replacement of street trees removed from the public right-of-way as a condition of any removal authorization issued by Public Works under Title 11. Trees removed as part of a planning project (subdivision, design review, multi-family or commercial development) must be replaced per landscape plan and conditions of approval under Title 14, with the city's adopted street tree list and the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) controlling species selection.

Tree Replacement Requirements in Daly City

Some Restrictions

Protected Tree Species

Daly City does not designate specific tree species (e.g., coast live oak, California buckeye, redwood) as locally protected on private property. State law provides species-level protection only for trees on Timberland Production Zone lands, in State Responsibility Areas, and for federally listed plant species. Within Daly City, the only species-level protection mechanism is the city's approved street tree list, which governs what may be planted in the right-of-way.

Protected Tree Species in Daly City

Few Restrictions

Parkway Planting

The parkway (the strip of land between sidewalk and curb) is part of the public right-of-way in Daly City. Planting any tree there requires authorization from the Department of Public Works under Title 11 (Streets and Sidewalks), and species must come from the city's approved street tree list. Adjacent property owners are typically responsible for watering and basic maintenance of parkway trees, while the city retains responsibility for major pruning, structural work, and authorization to remove.

Parkway Tree Planting in Daly City

Some Restrictions

Looking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Daly City city rules.

Tree Protection in San Mateo County