Landscaping Rules in Santa Barbara, CA (2026)
1 verified landscaping rules for Santa Barbara, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In the City of Santa Barbara, only City staff may trim, plant, or remove street trees in the parkway or right-of-way. Significantly pruning a protected tree, including setback trees and designated specimen or historic trees, requires a City permit, and unpermitted work carries escalating fines.
Santa Barbara Tree Trimming and Pruning Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Santa Barbara Minor Tree Removal Permit Submittal Packet (SBMC Chapters 15.20 and 15.24)
A permit is required to remove or significantly alter (prune) these types of trees: Street Trees. Any tree planted in a parkway strip, tree well, street right-of-way, or public areas... Designated Historic & Specimen Trees... Setback Trees. A setback tree is any tree with 50% or more of the tree trunk located within a front setback.
Looking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Barbara city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Santa Barbara County →