Tree Protection in Visalia, CA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Visalia, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Visalia formally recognizes 'landmark trees', any native or non-native tree designated by city council resolution for its age, size, outstanding habitat value, beauty, or historical or cultural significance, and protects them under the same strong ordinance as Valley Oaks.
Tree Protection: Heritage Trees
Significant RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code § 12.24.020
"Oak tree" means Valley Oak Tree (Quercus lobata). "Oak tree" may also mean a "landmark tree." "Landmark tree" means any native or non-native tree recognized by city council resolution for its age, size, location, outstanding habitat value, superior beauty, historical, and/or cultural significance.
Protected Tree Species
The Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) is a protected species throughout all of Visalia. It is a crime to willfully remove, destroy, damage, mutilate, poison, or attempt to kill any Valley Oak or landmark tree, and even improper pruning counts as illegal damage.
Tree Protection: Protected Species
Significant RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code § 12.24.025
It is unlawful for any person to willfully remove, destroy, damage, mutilate, poison, or attempt to kill an oak tree in the city, except as may be allowed pursuant to a removal permit as provided for in Section 12.24.030 of this Chapter, or as designated in a notice to prune an oak tree that satisfies of Article 3 of this Chapter. As used in this section, the term "damage" shall include the pru...
Parkway Planting
Adjoining property owners in Visalia are responsible for watering and trimming street trees in the parkway strip in front of their property, and must keep branches at least 14 feet high over streets and alleys, and 8 feet high over parkways and sidewalks.
Tree Protection: Parkway Planting
Light RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code § 12.20.080
Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, property owners shall keep street trees adjoining their property and all private trees trimmed up to a height of not less than fourteen (14) feet over a street or alley, and up to a height of not less than eight (8) feet over the parkway and sidewalk.
Looking for Tulare County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Visalia city rules.
Tree Protection in Tulare County →