Tree Protection in Pasadena, CA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Pasadena, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Pasadena protects landmark trees citywide under Municipal Code Chapter 8.52. Any person or city agency may nominate a tree to the historic preservation commission for landmark designation under Chapter 17.62, and once designated it is unlawful to prune, injure, or remove the tree anywhere in the city without a permit issued by the city manager.
Pasadena Heritage Tree Protection Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code §§ 8.52.065, 8.52.085(A)
Any person or city agency may propose to the historic preservation commission that a tree meets the criteria set forth in Section 8.52.020 and should be designated as a landmark under Chapter 17.62 and, thereby, as a landmark tree under this Chapter 8.52. ... The following are prohibited acts under this chapter unless expressly exempted: A. Landmark Tree. To prune, injure, or to remove without ...
Protected Tree Species
Pasadena's tree ordinance lists thirteen native species, including coast live oak and California sycamore, that are automatically protected once their trunk exceeds 8 inches in diameter. Removing or injuring a listed native tree without a city permit is unlawful under Municipal Code Section 8.52.085(B).
Pasadena Native Tree Species Protection Law
Significant RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code §§ 8.52.020(P), 8.52.085(B)
"Native tree" means any tree with a trunk more than 8 inches in diameter at a height of 4½ feet above natural grade that is one of the following species: Quercus agrifolia (Coast live oak), Quercus engelmannii (Engelmann oak), Quercus chrysolepis (Canyon oak), Platanus racemosa (California sycamore), Juglans californica (California walnut), Quercus berberidifolia (Scrub oak), Quercus lobata (Va...
Parkway Planting
Pasadena requires parkway, median and traffic-island trees to match the city's master street tree plan. Municipal Code Section 8.52.085(G) makes it unlawful to plant any species other than the officially designated street tree in these public rights-of-way, and violators face a civil penalty for the wrong-species planting.
Pasadena Parkway Street Tree Species Rule
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code §§ 8.52.020(L, Q, R), 8.52.085(G)
"Master street tree plan" means the comprehensive street tree plan approved by the city council, which lists the official street tree to be planted or replaced for all streets or sections of streets within the city. ... "Official street tree" means an approved species of street tree designated in the master street tree plan. ... "Parkway" means an area between the property line and the face of ...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pasadena city rules.
Tree Protection in Los Angeles County →