Tree Protection in Rocklin, CA (2026)
5 verified tree protection rules for Rocklin, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal Permits
Rocklin Municipal Code Chapter 17.77 (Oak Tree Preservation) requires a city-issued permit before removing ANY oak tree six inches or larger in diameter, measured 4.5 feet above the root crown. Non-oak species and oaks under 6" DBH are exempt, as is pruning. Permits are free, but healthy trees on developed lots generally cannot be removed without mitigation, and a certified arborist report is required to remove a tree based on poor health.
Oak Tree Removal Permits Required at 6" DBH (Rocklin Muni. Code Ch. 17.77)
Heavy RestrictionsHeritage & Protected Trees
Under Rocklin Muni. Code Ch. 17.77, a 'heritage tree' is any oak measuring 24 inches or larger in diameter at 4.5 feet above the root crown. Heritage oaks may be removed only with a Planning Division permit AND enhanced mitigation: planting five 5-gallon native oaks for each heritage tree removed, OR paying an in-lieu fee per tree into the City's Oak Tree Preservation Fund. The replacement ratio is more than double the standard healthy-oak rate (2:1).
Heritage Oaks: 24"+ DBH Trigger 5-to-1 Replacement (Ch. 17.77)
Heavy RestrictionsTree Replacement Requirements
Rocklin Muni. Code Ch. 17.77 imposes mitigation for every regulated oak removed from a residential developed lot. Healthy non-heritage oaks (6-24" DBH) require planting TWO five-gallon native oak trees per removed tree, OR an in-lieu fee per tree. Heritage oaks (24"+ DBH) require FIVE five-gallon native oaks per removed tree, OR a higher in-lieu fee. Replacement trees must be native species (typically Interior Live Oak, Blue Oak, or Valley Oak).
Oak Replacement: 2 Native Oaks per Healthy Tree, 5 per Heritage Tree
Heavy RestrictionsProtected Tree Species
Rocklin's tree protection ordinance (Ch. 17.77) protects only oak trees - specifically native species of the genus Quercus, including Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni), Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii), and Valley Oak (Quercus lobata). The City of Rocklin has no general 'heritage tree' protection covering non-oak species on private property; conifers, fruit trees, and ornamental species are not regulated for removal. Street trees of any species in the public right-of-way ARE regulated under Title 12 Ch. 12.08.
Protected Species: Native Oaks (Quercus) under Ch. 17.77; Non-oaks Unregulated
Some RestrictionsParkway Planting
Rocklin Muni. Code Title 12 Ch. 12.08 (Trees) governs all trees in the public right-of-way, including parkway strips between curb and sidewalk. Section 12.08.130 prohibits planting any tree in the city right-of-way contrary to the chapter, paving or filling around a street tree without written city manager authorization, and pouring deleterious material on or around any street tree. Property owners must trim trees overhanging the sidewalk to 8 feet clearance and trees overhanging the street to 14 feet.
Street Trees & Parkway Planting Regulated under Title 12 Ch. 12.08
Some RestrictionsLooking for Placer County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rocklin city rules.
Tree Protection in Placer County →