Tree Protection in Santa Clara, CA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Santa Clara, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Santa Clara Municipal Code Chapter 12.35 designates "heritage trees" as trees significant for their age, historic commemoration, or memory of a person or event, and bans removing one in any zoning district without a City permit. Unlike other protected trees, which the Community Development Department reviews, heritage tree removal applications go straight to the City Council for final review under SCCC § 12.35.090(c)(3)(A).
Santa Clara Heritage Tree Protection Rules
Significant RestrictionsSanta Clara City Code §§ 12.35.020(h)(2), 12.35.080(a), 12.35.090(c)(3)(A)
"Heritage tree" means trees designated as significant by the City due to their age, commemoration of an event, or memory of a person or event in history. ... The following trees shall not be removed without first obtaining a permit from the City: (a) Heritage trees in all zoning districts. ... City Council shall have the final review and determination on applications for the removal of heritage...
Protected Tree Species
Nine native and specimen tree species are protected across Santa Clara once their trunk reaches twelve inches in diameter, measured fifty-four inches above grade, on private property. SCCC § 12.35.080(b) names California buckeye, big leaf maple, deodar and blue Atlas cedar, camphor tree, western sycamore, five native oak species, coast redwood, and California bay laurel, and none may be removed without a City permit.
Santa Clara Protected Tree Species Rules
Significant RestrictionsSanta Clara City Code § 12.35.080(b)
All specimen trees with a diameter of twelve (12) inches or more when measured at fifty-four (54) inches above natural grade of the following species on private property: (1) Aesculus californica (California buckeye); (2) Acer macrophyllum (big leaf maple); (3) Cedrus deodara (deodar cedar); (4) Cedrus atlantica "Glauca" (blue Atlas cedar); (5) Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree); (6) Platanus r...
Parkway Planting
In Santa Clara, you cannot plant a tree in the park strip (the parkway between the sidewalk and the street) yourself; the City controls all street tree planting under SCCC § 12.35.050. You may plant shrubs and ground cover in the strip without a permit if you maintain them, but trees are off-limits to residents there.
Santa Clara Parkway Strip Tree Planting Rules
Significant RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, City Code § 12.35.050(a), § 12.35.060(a)-(b)
No person shall plant or cause to be planted any tree or plant in a public place, apart from park strip landscaping as indicated in SCCC § 12.35.060. ... No permit or prior approval from the City is required for the planting of landscaping such as shrubs and ground cover in the park strip, as long as the item to be planted complies with all requirements of this chapter and is maintained by the ...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Clara city rules.
Tree Protection in Santa Clara County →