Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Antioch vs El Cerrito
How do tree removal & heritage trees rules compare between Antioch, CA and El Cerrito, CA?
Antioch and El Cerrito have similar restriction levels.
Antioch, CA
Contra Costa County
Antioch Municipal Code Chapter 9-5.3813 requires a permit to remove any protected tree, including heritage oaks 10+ inches DBH, street trees, and trees on undeveloped parcels. Removal without a permit is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 per tree plus replacement requirements at 3:1 ratio.
View full Antioch rules →El Cerrito, CA
Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County protects heritage and native trees under County Ordinance Code Chapter 816-6. A permit is required to remove any protected tree (most native oaks, bays, buckeyes, madrones, and sycamores) of 6.5 inches DBH or larger on private property. Unpermitted removal carries penalties up to $10,000 per tree plus replacement planting.
View full El Cerrito rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Antioch | El Cerrito |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinance | AMC 9-5.3813 | - |
| Protected oaks | 10+ inches DBH | - |
| Other species | Protected at 20+ inches DBH | - |
| Replacement | 3:1 with 24-inch box natives | - |
| Illegal removal | $1,000/tree + 5:1 replacement | - |
| Protected DBH | - | 6.5 in (20 in circumference) or larger |
| Covered species | - | Oaks, bay, buckeye, madrone, sycamore, big-leaf maple |
| Permit authority | - | Contra Costa DCD Planning |
| Penalty | - | Up to $10,000 per tree + replacement |
| Exemptions | - | Dead/hazard, fruit trees, <25% canopy trim |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Antioch FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a dead oak tree?
Yes, but dead/hazardous-tree permits are typically expedited and may be free. Document the condition with photos and an ISA-certified arborist report before removal to avoid enforcement.
Can I prune a protected tree without a permit?
Routine pruning is allowed, but removal of more than 25 percent of the canopy or major scaffold limbs requires a permit and arborist oversight to avoid effectively killing the tree.
El Cerrito FAQ
Can I remove an oak tree that is dropping limbs onto my house?
You may remove it if a certified arborist documents imminent hazard. File an emergency notice with DCD within 48 hours and retain the arborist report and photos.
Does the ordinance apply to cutting roots for a new driveway?
Yes. Any construction within the dripline of a protected tree requires review, and cutting more than 25% of the root zone can trigger a removal-level permit.
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