Tree Protection in Santa Rosa, CA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Santa Rosa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Santa Rosa protects heritage trees, native oaks, redwoods, and other listed species above a set trunk diameter, plus any tree the Planning Commission formally designates for historic or cultural value. Municipal Code Section 17-24.030 makes it unlawful to alter, remove, or relocate a heritage tree anywhere in the City without a permit from the Department of Community Development.
Santa Rosa Heritage Tree Protection and Permit
Significant RestrictionsSanta Rosa City Code §§ 17-24.020, 17-24.030
"Heritage tree" means any of the following: (1) A tree or grove of trees so designated by a resolution of the Planning Commission, upon nomination by the Director of Community Development or the Planning Commission and after the holding of a noticed public hearing, having a specific historical or cultural association or value due to its age, species, character, location, height and/or the circu...
Protected Tree Species
Santa Rosa's tree code designates protected "heritage trees" two ways: a Planning Commission resolution for historic or cultural value, or automatic status for eleven native species (oaks, redwood, bay, madrone, buckeye, Douglas fir, alders, big-leaf maple) once the trunk reaches a listed diameter. Altering or removing one without a Section 17-24.030 permit is a misdemeanor.
Santa Rosa's Heritage Tree Species & Size List
Some RestrictionsSanta Rosa City Code § 17-24.020
"Heritage tree" means any of the following: (1) A tree or grove of trees so designated by a resolution of the Planning Commission, upon nomination by the Director of Community Development or the Planning Commission and after the holding of a noticed public hearing, having a specific historical or cultural association or value due to its age, species, character, location, height and/or the circu...
Parkway Planting
Santa Rosa only allows planting trees in the parkway strip along streets, or within five feet of pavement or a sidewalk, if the species is on the City Council's approved street tree list; any other landscaping planted there is capped at 24 inches tall, measured from the paved street grade.
Santa Rosa Street Tree & Parkway Planting Rules
Significant RestrictionsSanta Rosa City Code § 17-24.070
Resolution of Approved List of Street Trees. The City Council shall adopt by resolution a list of trees which may be planted within the planting strip adjacent to City streets or within five feet of the paved portion of a City street or a public sidewalk. ... Prohibition on the Planting of Unapproved Trees and Certain Plants. Except as provided in Section 17-24.070(A), no trees shall be planted...
Looking for Sonoma County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Rosa city rules.
Tree Protection in Sonoma County →