Tree Protection in San Diego County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Diego County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Protected Tree Species

In the unincorporated Coastal Zone, county rules bar development that disrupts sensitive habitat unless no feasible alternative exists, and require removed native oak, walnut, and sycamore trees to be replaced one-for-one with a comparable-size tree.

San Diego County Native Tree Replacement Rule

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Zoning Ordinance § 9302

impacts to ESHA shall be prohibited, except where no other feasible alternative exists. Where ESHA impacts are permitted in accordance with the Coastal Act, adverse impacts will be mitigated at the following ratios: i. 1:1 for native tree replacement (e.g. oaks, walnut, sycamore), for a tree of comparable size

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parkway Planting

In Alpine Village Core, County Zoning Ordinance section 8973 requires street trees in the parkway's Furnishing Zone to be planted at least 10 feet tall with a 25-square-foot open soil area and 3 inches of mulch.

San Diego County Alpine Village Street Tree Standards

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Zoning Ordinance § 8973

When planted, Street Trees shall be a minimum height of ten (10) feet and / or two (2) inches in caliper. A minimum 25 sq. ft. open soil area shall be left around each Street Tree, centered at the tree trunk with a Tree Grate (Table AL-6.5.i). Mulch shall be applied to the open soil area to a minimum depth of three (3) inches. Street Trees shall be planted in a regularly-spaced Allee pattern as...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗