Tree Protection in Oakland, CA (2026)
2 verified tree protection rules for Oakland, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Protected Tree Species
Oakland protects Coast Live Oaks four inches or more in trunk diameter and every other tree species nine inches or larger, with narrow exceptions for Eucalyptus and Monterey Pine. Removing a covered tree anywhere in the city, on private or public land, requires a tree removal permit under Municipal Code Chapter 12.36.
Oakland Protected Tree Species and Sizes
Significant RestrictionsOakland Municipal Code § 12.36.020
"Protected tree" means a protected tree for the purpose of this chapter is the following: 1. On any property, Quercus agrifolia (California or Coast Live Oak) measuring four inches dbh or larger, and any other tree measuring nine inches dbh or larger except Eucalyptus and Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine); 2. Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine) trees shall be protected only on city property and in develo...
Parkway Planting
Anyone who plants, removes, or otherwise alters a tree or shrub along an Oakland public street needs a written permit from the Director of Parks and Recreation. The City Manager holds full authority over street tree work citywide under Municipal Code Chapter 12.32, and any permit issued expires 60 days after the date it's granted unless the work is finished.
Oakland Street Tree Planting Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsOakland Municipal Code § 12.32.060
12.32.060 - Permit to maintain, remove, mutilate, attach to, or detach from, trees. It is unlawful for any person to make any tree or shrub improvement, or to destroy, deface or mutilate any tree or shrub in and along any public street, or to attach or place any rope, wire, sign, poster, handbill or other thing to or on any tree growing in any public street, or any guard or protection of such t...
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Oakland city rules.
Tree Protection in Alameda County →