Tree Ordinances: Oakland vs San Leandro
How do tree ordinances rules compare between Oakland, CA and San Leandro, CA?
San Leandro has fewer restrictions than Oakland.
Oakland, CA
Alameda County
Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 12.36 (Protected Tree Ordinance) protects all coast live oaks 4+ inches diameter at breast height (DBH) and all other trees 9+ inches DBH on private property, plus every tree in the public right-of-way. A Tree Removal Permit from the Tree Services Division is required to remove, top, or severely prune a protected tree, with replacement planting typically required. Penalties for unpermitted removal can reach thousands of dollars per tree.
View full Oakland rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
San Leandro regulates only trees located on public property and within the public right-of-way (street trees). Private-property trees are not regulated — there is no heritage tree ordinance currently in effect. Street tree rules are in SLMC Title 5 Chapter 5-2 and Administrative Code Chapter 12.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Oakland | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Code Section | - | SLMC Title 5 Chapter 5-2; Admin. Code Ch. 12 |
| Scope | - | Street trees only (public right-of-way) |
| Private Trees | - | No City permit required |
| Heritage Tree Ordinance | - | Drafted 2014 - not enacted |
| Department | - | Public Works - Tree Division |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Oakland FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree on my property?
If the tree meets the protected size thresholds, yes — you still need a Tree Removal Permit, though permits for dead or clearly hazardous trees are routinely approved with minimal delay when supported by an arborist report.
Are eucalyptus trees protected in Oakland?
Generally no. Eucalyptus, acacia, and certain other species are exempt from protection because they are considered invasive and/or wildfire hazards. Removal may still require other approvals in the VHFHSZ or on development sites.
What if my neighbor's oak is damaging my foundation?
The neighbor must still obtain a permit. You can trim branches overhanging your property up to the property line under California law, but not in a way that damages or kills the tree — and only non-protected pruning that does not exceed canopy removal thresholds.
San Leandro FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my San Leandro property?
No. San Leandro does not currently regulate trees on private property. SLMC Title 5 Chapter 5-2 covers only street trees in the public right-of-way. A draft heritage tree ordinance has been discussed since 2014 but has not been enacted.
Can I trim a San Leandro street tree in front of my house?
No. Street trees are owned and maintained by the City under SLMC 5-2. Property owners must request trimming through Public Works (or get a permit before doing it themselves); unauthorized work can result in restitution charges based on the tree's appraised value.
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