Tree Protection in Elk Grove, CA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Elk Grove, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
The Elk Grove City Council can designate a 'landmark tree' by resolution based on species, size, age, form, or historical significance under EGMC § 19.12.030, but only with the property owner's consent, and removing that status later also requires a Council resolution after an arborist review.
Elk Grove Landmark Tree Designation
Some RestrictionsElk Grove, CA, Municipal Code § 19.12.030 (Landmark trees)
A landmark tree is a tree that has been determined and designated, by resolution of the City Council, to be of high value to the community because of its species, size, age, form, historical significance, or some other professional criterion. ... The City Council may only approve designating a tree(s) as a landmark tree if the property owner has given their consent to the designation. C. Criter...
Protected Tree Species
Elk Grove protects seven native species, including coast live oak, valley oak, and California black walnut, as 'trees of local importance' once they reach 6 inches in trunk diameter under EGMC § 19.12.040, but only trips the tree-permit requirement when tied to a discretionary development project.
Elk Grove Protected Native Tree Species
Light RestrictionsElk Grove, CA, Municipal Code §§ 19.12.040, 19.12.080(A)
For purposes of this chapter, the following species of trees with a DSH (see EGMC Section 19.12.020, General definitions) of six (6") inches or greater are considered trees of local importance: A. Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia); B. Valley oak (Quercus lobata); C. Blue oak (Quercus douglasii); D. Interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii); E. Oracle oak (Quercus X moreha); F. California sycamore...
Parkway Planting
Elk Grove's landscape design chapter requires a street tree planted at least every 50 feet along the parkway strip between the curb and sidewalk, with the parkway itself at least 8 feet wide to accommodate the tree. The standard applies to new development under EGMC § 23.54.050(E) and is enforced through the city's landscape maintenance and nuisance-abatement authority.
Elk Grove Parkway Street Tree Spacing Rules
Some RestrictionsElk Grove, CA, Municipal Code § 23.54.050(E) (Special Landscape Provisions - Landscape Corridors)
Landscape Corridors. Existing sidewalks (except at street intersections) and bus turnouts may meander from a minimum five (5' 0") foot setback to a maximum of twenty (20' 0") feet from the edge of pavement. The parkway area between the public street and the sidewalk shall be landscaped and planted with a street tree at least every fifty (50' 0") feet. The parkway shall be a minimum of eight (8'...
Looking for Sacramento County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Elk Grove city rules.
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