Tree Protection in Los Angeles County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 18 cities in Los Angeles County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Heritage & Protected Trees

The Santa Monica Mountains North Area CSD designates any tree with a single trunk 36 or more inches in diameter (or two trunks totaling 54 or more inches) as a heritage tree; removal requires a Conditional Use Permit and 10:1 replacement mitigation.

Tree Protection: Heritage Trees

Significant Restrictions

County Code § 22.336.060.B.2.d; Table 22.336-A

d.Heritage Trees. Any species of tree, whether native or non-native, is considered a heritage tree when it has a single trunk that measures 36 inches or more in diameter, or two trunks that collectively measure 54 inches or more in diameter; or for trees with naturally occurring thin trunks when full grown, and trees with unnaturally enlarged trunks due to injury or disease (e.g., burls and gal...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Protected Tree Species

In unincorporated Los Angeles County land inside a mapped Significant Ecological Area, removing, pruning past 25% of foliage, or encroaching on a tree from the County's SEA Protected Tree List requires a Protected Tree Permit; taking more than two or any Heritage Tree needs a full SEA Conditional Use Permit.

Los Angeles County SEA Protected Tree Permits

Significant Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code § 22.102.070

A Protected Tree Permit shall be required for development that complies with Section 22.102.090 (SEA Development Standards)...and which includes any of the following impacts:...3.Removal of up to two SEA Protected Trees that are not designated as Heritage Trees; or...B.A SEA CUP shall be required per Section 22.102.080 (SEA Conditional Use Permit) for the following impacts:1.Removal of more tha...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parkway Planting

Subdividers in unincorporated Los Angeles County must plant trees along the street frontage of every new lot, with species, number, and placement set by the Director of Public Works before final map recordation.

Los Angeles County Street Tree Planting Rule

Some Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code § 21.32.160

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a subdivider shall plant trees along the frontage of all lots shown on a final map or parcel map. The number, species, and location of such trees shall be as specified by the Director of Public Works. Tree planting is not required unless it is determined by the advisory agency to be in the public interest...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗