3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in San Diego County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated San Diego County has no general permit to remove a private yard tree. Permits are required for trees in the county road right-of-way (DPW, County Code Title 7, Div. 1, Ch. 5) and for clearing native vegetation in sensitive habitat under the Resource Protection Ordinance and grading/clearing rules.
San Diego County does not have a specific heritage tree ordinance for unincorporated areas. However, exceptionally old or large native trees receive protection under the Resource Protection Ordinance. Significant native vegetation is evaluated during the development review process.
When protected native trees are removed in unincorporated San Diego County, the Resource Protection Ordinance may require replacement planting at specified mitigation ratios. New single-family projects must include at least 2 trees per dwelling unit.
7 cities in San Diego County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Protected Tree Species
3 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Tree Removal Permits
3 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Tree Removal Permits
3 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Tree Removal Permits
3 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Tree Removal Permits
3 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Tree Removal Permits
1 verified rule • Tree Removal Permits
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