Tree Protection in Mountain View, CA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Mountain View, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Mountain View requires every owner of a heritage tree, generally one with a 48-inch trunk circumference, to keep it healthy and forbids injuring, damaging, destroying, moving or removing it without a city permit. City Code Sec. 32.25 places that maintenance duty and removal ban directly on property owners, backed by a council-designation process under Sec. 32.24 for trees of special historical or community value.
Mountain View Heritage Tree Protection Law
Significant RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 32.25(a)-(b)
a.Any person who owns, controls, has custody or possession of any real property within the city shall maintain and preserve all heritage trees located thereon in a state of good health. Failure to do so shall constitute a violation of this section.b.No person shall willfully injure, damage, destroy, move or remove a heritage tree except pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit granted p...
Protected Tree Species
Mountain View extends heritage tree protection to native oak, redwood and cedar trees at a fraction of the size required for other species. City Code Sec. 32.23(c) defines a "heritage tree" generally as one with a 48-inch trunk circumference, but any quercus (oak), sequoia (redwood) or cedrus (cedar) qualifies at just twelve (12) inches, both measured 54 inches above natural grade.
Mountain View Protected Tree Species Rules
Significant RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 32.23(c)
"Heritage tree" shall mean any one of the following:1.A tree which has a trunk with a circumference of forty-eight (48) inches or more measured at fifty-four (54) inches above natural grade;2.A multi-branched tree which has major branches below fifty-four (54) inches above the natural grade with a circumference of forty-eight (48) inches measured just below the first major trunk fork.3.Any quer...
Parkway Planting
Mountain View plants and regulates every tree and shrub in its parkway strips through a citywide master street tree plan. City Code Sec. 32.4 requires the director of parks and recreation to draft the plan and the parks and recreation commission to adopt or amend it, fixing the type, form and location of official street trees, with a copy kept on file at the city clerk's office.
Mountain View Street Tree Planting Standards
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 32.4
A master street tree plan shall be established, which master street tree plan shall designate the type, form and location of all street trees and shrubs in the city. The master street tree plan shall be prepared by the director of parks and recreation for consideration and adoption by the parks and recreation commission. Such master street tree plan may from time to time be changed, modified, a...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mountain View city rules.
Tree Protection in Santa Clara County →