Alameda, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Alameda, CA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Protected oak threshold
- 10-inch diameter at 4.5 feet height
- Named protected trees
- Burbank/Portola palms, Thompson/Central street trees
- Permit required
- Historical Advisory Board certificate of approval
- Oak replacement ratio
- 2 oaks, 10-gallon size or larger
- Appeal window
- 10 days to City Council
- Governing section
- AMC Sec. 13-21.7(c)
Summary
Alameda requires a Historical Advisory Board certificate of approval before removing specific named street trees, the Burbank and Portola palms, and any Coastal Live Oak 10 inches or more in diameter, under Section 13-21.7(c). Removal for a sick tree needs an arborist's report, and removed oaks must be replaced two-for-one.
No protected tree shall be removed without the approval of a certificate of approval from the Historical Advisory Board. Protected trees shall include: the palm trees in the public right of way on Burbank Street and Portola Avenue; any street tree on Thompson and Central Avenues; and any Coastal Live Oak (quercus agrifolia) with a ten (10″) inch or greater diameter measured four and one-half (4.5') feet above the ground. Applicants shall submit an arborist's report in a case where the health of the tree is the reason for the requested removal of the tree, or a contractor's report in a case where damage to foundation or other structures is the reason for the requested removal of the tree. Any street tree shall be replaced, at the applicant's expense, to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director. Any oak tree shall be replaced with a minimum of two (2) oak trees of ten (10) gallon size or larger to the satisfaction of the Planning and Building Director.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 74).
Full Breakdown
5 feet above the ground. None can be removed without a certificate of approval from the Historical Advisory Board, the same body that reviews designated Historical Monuments under Section 13-21. If the tree's health is the stated reason for removal, the applicant must submit an arborist's report; if structural damage to a foundation or other structure is the reason, a contractor's report is required instead. Any protected street tree that is approved for removal must be replaced at the applicant's expense to the Public Works Director's satisfaction, and any approved oak must be replaced with at least two oak trees of 10-gallon size or larger to the Planning and Building Director's satisfaction.
A property owner or applicant can appeal a denial to the City Council within 10 days, though the Council will only reverse the Board if qualified evidence shows the resource is incapable of earning an economic return. An issued certificate of approval is valid for three years, and hearing notice goes by postal card to all property owners within 300 feet.
Violations & Fines
Removing a protected tree without a certificate of approval is a Section 13-21 violation subject to the general Municipal Code misdemeanor or infraction penalty under Section 1-5.1, up to $1,000 or six months in jail, and the City can still require the applicant's-expense replacement, two 10-gallon oaks or a replaced street tree, that the certificate of approval process would have imposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut down a large oak tree on my Alameda property?
Which street trees in Alameda are specifically protected?
What if my Historical Advisory Board tree removal request is denied?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alameda
California rules heatmap·Compare Alameda to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle tree removal & heritage trees.