Tree Protection in San Jose, CA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for San Jose, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
San Jose designates heritage trees by city council resolution based on factors like history, girth, height, species, or community significance, and protects them under Municipal Code Chapter 13.32 with citation-based civil penalties for damage or removal.
San Jose Heritage Tree Designation & Protection
Significant RestrictionsSan José Municipal Code § 13.32.140
Any tree as the term "tree" is defined in Section 13.28.020 located on private property which, because of factors including but not limited to its history, girth, height, species or unique quality, has been found by the city council to have a special significance to the community shall be designated a heritage tree. Such trees shall be placed on a heritage tree list which shall be adopted by th...
Protected Tree Species
San Jose's city council designates individual private-property trees as "heritage trees" for their history, girth, height, species or unique quality, and it is a civil violation to vandalize, mutilate, remove or destroy one.
San Jose Heritage Tree Protection List
Significant RestrictionsSan Jose Municipal Code § 13.32.140
Any tree as the term "tree" is defined in Section 13.28.020 located on private property which, because of factors including but not limited to its history, girth, height, species or unique quality, has been found by the city council to have a special significance to the community shall be designated a heritage tree. Such trees shall be placed on a heritage tree list which shall be adopted by th...
Parkway Planting
Planting a street tree in the Furnishing Zone/Parkstrip in San Jose requires a director-issued permit before you dig, and the property owner must maintain and replace any street tree fronting their lot.
San Jose Street Tree Planting Permit
Some RestrictionsSan Jose Municipal Code § 13.28.300
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to plant or install any street tree within the city, unless one of the following conditions exists: 1. A permit that allows the planting or installation of the street tree was issued by the director in accordance with this chapter; or 2. There is a valid written contract with the city for the planting or installation of street trees approved by the city ma...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Jose city rules.
Tree Protection in Santa Clara County →