3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in San Joaquin County, California.
Verified from official government sources
San Joaquin County protects native oaks (valley oak, blue oak, interior live oak) through the Oak Woodlands Ordinance. Removal of oaks with trunk diameter 6 inches+ DBH generally requires a permit from Community Development, with mitigation. Commercial orchards and ag operations are exempt under the Right to Farm Act. Street trees in maintained districts are county-controlled.
San Joaquin County recognizes heritage native oaks (typically 24-inch+ DBH valley oaks, blue oaks, interior live oaks) under the Oak Woodlands Ordinance, with stricter protections and 5:1 to 10:1 mitigation. Removal requires Planning Commission approval absent an imminent-safety finding. The Delta riparian corridor hosts many heritage oaks subject to additional CEQA review.
Tree removal permits in San Joaquin County trigger replacement planting at ratios from 1:1 to 10:1 depending on size and species. Native oaks require native oak replacement — typically 3:1 for standard oaks and 5:1–10:1 for heritage. An in-lieu fee paid to the SJ Oak Woodlands Conservation Fund is allowed where on-site replanting is infeasible.
2 cities in San Joaquin County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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