Tree Replacement Requirements: Daly City vs Redwood City
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between Daly City, CA and Redwood City, CA?
Daly City and Redwood City have similar restriction levels.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City requires replacement of street trees removed from the public right-of-way as a condition of any removal authorization issued by Public Works under Title 11. Trees removed as part of a planning project (subdivision, design review, multi-family or commercial development) must be replaced per landscape plan and conditions of approval under Title 14, with the city's adopted street tree list and the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) controlling species selection.
View full Daly City rules →Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
The San Mateo County Protected Tree Ordinance (No. 4895) requires replacement planting when a Significant or Heritage Tree is removed under permit. Standard replacement ratios range from 1:1 to 3:1 depending on the DBH and species of the removed tree. Replacement trees must meet minimum size specifications (typically 15-gallon to 24-inch box), be from an approved native/adapted species list, and established for a 2-year maintenance period. When on-site replacement is infeasible, an in-lieu fee is paid to the County Tree Replacement Fund.
View full Redwood City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | Redwood City |
|---|---|---|
| Right-of-way replacement | Required under Title 11 authorization | - |
| Project replacement | Per Title 14 conditions of approval | - |
| Species control | City approved street tree list | - |
| MWELO threshold | Landscape > 500 sq ft (CCR Title 23 Sec. 490) | - |
| Ratios | - | 1:1 to 3:1+ |
| Minimum Size | - | 15-gal to 24-in box |
| Species | - | Approved native/adapted list |
| In-Lieu Fund | - | Pays to County Tree Fund |
| Maintenance | - | 2-year guarantee |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
If I remove a street tree, do I have to plant a new one?
Yes. Replacement is a standard condition of any Public Works authorization to remove a street tree. The replacement must come from the city's approved street tree list and be planted in a suitable nearby location, or you may pay a fee-in-lieu to the city's tree-planting fund.
What species are approved for Daly City street trees?
The city's approved street tree list prioritizes wind-tolerant, fog-tolerant, drought-tolerant species. Pacific wax myrtle, Brisbane box, New Zealand Christmas tree, and select Magnolia cultivars are typical. Confirm with Public Works before purchasing.
Does MWELO apply to my front yard?
California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance applies to new or rehabilitated landscape areas of 500 sq ft or more requiring a permit. Single residential landscape projects of 2,500 sq ft or more must meet the full ordinance; smaller areas have a prescriptive compliance option.
Redwood City FAQ
What if I can't fit replacement trees on my small lot?
The Protected Tree Ordinance allows payment of an in-lieu fee to the County Tree Replacement Fund when on-site planting is demonstrably infeasible due to space, shading, or soil conditions. The fee is set by the Planning Department and funds replanting on County parks, rights-of-way, or restoration sites.
Can I plant fruit trees as replacements?
Productive fruit trees can sometimes qualify but are generally not favored because the ordinance aims to restore ecological canopy. Native oaks, California bay, big-leaf maple, buckeye, redwood (in appropriate zones), and approved drought-adapted species are preferred. Check the Planning Department's approved species list.
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