Tree Protection in Sacramento, CA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Sacramento, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Sacramento can name an individual tree a protected heritage tree by city council resolution. City Code § 12.56.020 defines a "private protected tree" to include any tree the council designates for special historical value, environmental value, or significant community benefit, wherever it stands on private property.
Sacramento Heritage Tree Designation Rules
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 12.56.020
"Private protected tree" means: A. A tree that is designated by city council resolution to have special historical value, special environmental value, or significant community benefit, and is located on private property;
Protected Tree Species
Six native species get automatic protection in Sacramento regardless of council designation. City Code § 12.56.020 covers any Valley Oak, Blue Oak, Interior Live Oak, Coast Live Oak, California Buckeye, or California Sycamore on private property once it reaches 12 inches in diameter at standard height.
Sacramento Protected Native Tree Species List
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 12.56.020
"Private protected tree" means: ... B. Any native Valley Oak (Quercus lobata), Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii), Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizenii), Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), California Buckeye (Aesculus californica), or California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), that has a DSH of twelve (12) inches or more, and is located on private property;
Parkway Planting
Sacramento requires street trees to be planted along every residential lot in a new subdivision as a condition of tentative or parcel map approval. The city's director of public works sets the species, size and planting location, and the subdivider pays a council-set fee rather than planting directly.
Sacramento Parkway Street Tree Planting Rules
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 17.504.050(I)
I. Provide for the planting of residential street trees of the species, condition, size, and in the location prescribed by the director of public works at an appropriate future date by payment of a fee to the city in the sums established by resolution of the city council for each interior residential lot and for each corner residential lot within the subdivision. Trees shall be planted by cit...
Looking for Sacramento County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sacramento city rules.
Tree Protection in Sacramento County →