Aliso Viejo, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

This rule sits in the City of Aliso Viejo's urban lot split chapter, Chapter 14.28 of the Municipal Code, at § 14.28.050(I)(8)(a). It governs lots in Aliso Viejo, Orange County, that have development under that chapter, which allows a lot in a single-family residential zone to be divided into two lots. It is not a citywide tree permit: this page covers only the tree rule the code prints for urban lot split lots.

The ban is direct. No mature tree may be removed unless removal is necessary to constructing a dwelling unit that must be allowed under state law. "Mature tree" means a tree with a diameter of six inches or more or a height of eight feet or taller, so either measure triggers the rule. Where removal is allowed, the replacement duty is fixed: at least two mature trees of the same type, each with a trunk diameter the same or larger than that of the removed tree.

The same section surrounds the tree rule with other landscaping duties. Front setback areas must be at least 50 percent landscaped with drought-tolerant plants, using vegetation and irrigation plans approved by a licensed landscape architect. Evergreen screening must be planted and maintained between each dwelling and adjacent lots: at least one 15-gallon plant for every five linear feet of exterior wall, or alternatively one 24-inch box plant for every 10 linear feet. Plants must be at least six feet tall when installed, or a solid fence of at least six feet in height can be used instead. All landscaping must be drought tolerant and come from the city's approved plant list.

Under § 14.28.040, the community development director approves or denies a parcel map for an urban lot split ministerially, and the approval must require the owner to reimburse the city for all costs of enforcement, including attorneys' fees. Section 14.28.030 lets the city council set an application fee by resolution to recover the city's costs.