Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Palo Alto vs San Jose
How do tree removal & heritage trees rules compare between Palo Alto, CA and San Jose, CA?
Palo Alto and San Jose have similar restriction levels.
Palo Alto, CA
Santa Clara County
Removing protected or street trees in Palo Alto requires a permit. Heritage trees and regulated oaks can only be removed with findings of hazard, disease, or undue hardship, and replacement trees are typically required.
View full Palo Alto rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
Division C16 of the County Ordinance Code requires an Administrative Tree Removal Permit and mitigation for removing protected trees in designated areas of unincorporated Santa Clara County, including Hillsides, Design Review districts, and historic zones. Healthy native trees 12 inches in diameter or more must be replaced.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Palo Alto | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Protected species | Oaks over 11.5 inches DBH | - |
| Heritage trees | Council-designated, any species | - |
| Street trees | City-owned, permit required | - |
| Replacement | Typically required | Required; oaks replaced with oaks |
| Illegal removal fine | Up to 5,000 dollars per tree | - |
| Governing ordinance | - | Division C16 (Tree Preservation & Removal) |
| Permit type | - | Administrative Tree Removal Permit |
| Urban protected size | - | 12 in diameter (37.7 in circumference) |
| Rural protected size | - | 5 in diameter (15.7 in circumference) |
| Permit fee | - | No fee for administrative permit |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Palo Alto FAQ
Can I remove a dead oak without a permit?
No. Even dead protected trees require a removal permit and arborist confirmation. The permit is usually quick for clearly dead trees.
What if the tree threatens my foundation?
Submit an arborist report documenting damage with the permit application. The city may approve removal with replacement conditions.
San Jose FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
If the tree is a protected tree in a designated area (Hillsides, Design Review, or historic zones), yes - Division C16 requires an Administrative Tree Removal Permit and mitigation. Whether your specific tree is regulated depends on its size, species, and your parcel's zoning.
Will I have to plant replacement trees?
Often yes. Healthy native trees 12 inches in diameter or larger that are removed must be replaced, oaks must be replaced with oaks, and replacement ratios scale from 3 to 5 fifteen-gallon trees depending on the removed tree's size.
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