Alhambra, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Alhambra, 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
- Permit required for
- Removal/material alteration of protected tree
- Hazardous-tree permit decision window
- 10 working days
- Healthy-tree permit validity
- 1 year
- Unpermitted removal penalty
- Doubled replacement trees + 1-yr permit ban
- Review authority
- Community Development Director
Summary
Removing, topping or materially altering a protected oak, California native, or mature tree on private property in Alhambra requires a tree permit from the Community Development Department. Applications need a removal justification, and healthy-tree permits require public notice and go through the Director as review authority before approval.
(C) Tree permit required. A tree permit is required to remove or otherwise materially alter a protected tree on private property whether vacant, undeveloped, in the process of development or developed, except as provided below. ... (G) Enforcement. ... (2) Whenever a tree removal has occurred, independent of a development project, contrary to the provision of this chapter, no building permits on the property associated with the violation shall be issued for a period of one year. (3) Whenever a tree removal has occurred contrary to the provision of this chapter, the required number of replacement trees shall be double the standard provision.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 4851, passed 10-27-25).
Full Breakdown
170(C) requires a tree permit before removing or otherwise materially altering a protected tree on private property, whether the lot is vacant, undeveloped or already built out. Limited exceptions exist under (C)(1): trees in the side or rear yards of RL and RM residential zones, fruit trees, non-native palms, routine trimming that doesn't amount to topping, dead-wood removal, emergency removal ordered by the Community Development Director, Public Works Director, police or fire personnel, and removal needed for traffic sight lines or utility protection. 020 documenting the tree's condition; the Director must approve, conditionally approve or deny it within ten working days, the permit expires after six months if unused, and no replacement tree is required.
050, the Director acts as review authority, and an issued permit expires after one year. Replacement is mandatory for healthy-tree removal: two 24-inch box oak or native replacement trees per ten inches of the removed tree's diameter for oaks and natives, or one 24-inch box tree per ten inches of diameter for other mature trees, with at least half planted on-site.
Violations & Fines
Removing a protected tree without a permit triggers Code Enforcement citation per tree removed, plus a stop-work order under § 23.12.170(G) that blocks further work until the citation is paid and the violation corrected. An unpermitted removal outside a development project bars new building permits on that property for one year, and required replacement trees double under (G)(3), on top of whatever fine the City Council sets under the general penalty at § 1.12.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my own property in Alhambra?
What happens if I remove a protected tree in Alhambra without a permit?
How many replacement trees does a healthy tree removal require in Alhambra?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alhambra
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