Anaheim, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Anaheim, 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 trees
- Oaks 25+ in., pepper/sycamore 50+ in. circumference
- Zone covered
- Scenic Corridor (SC) Overlay, Santa Ana Canyon area
- Permit body
- Planning and Building Dept., City Arborist review
- Discretionary path
- Planning Commission decision, City Council appeal
- Replacement size
- 36-inch box (24-inch with Arborist approval)
- Violation penalty
- Misdemeanor under Section 1.01.370
Summary
In Anaheim's Scenic Corridor (SC) Overlay Zone along Santa Ana Canyon, destroying a Specimen Tree, an oak with a trunk 25 inches or more in circumference, or a pepper or sycamore 50 inches or more around, without a permit is unlawful. Owners must file an application and arborist report with the Planning and Building Department, plus a Council-set fee, before removal.
.020 Scope. Except as provided in subsection .030, it shall be unlawful for any person to destroy or otherwise direct or permit the destruction of one (1) or more Specimen Trees growing within the boundaries of the "SC" Overlay Zone, without a permit issued by the City of Anaheim pursuant to the provisions of this section. .030 Administrative Specimen Tree Removal Permit. A Specimen Tree Removal Permit is required to remove Specimen Trees as defined in this Chapter. Applications for authority to destroy Specimen Trees shall be filed with the Planning and Building Department on forms provided for such purpose, together with a filing fee as established by resolution of the City Council. ... .100 Punishment of Violations. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to violate the provisions of this section. A violation shall be subject to the enforcement and penalties as set forth in Section 1.01.370 (Violation of Code-Penalty) of Chapter 1.01 (Code Adoption and Construction).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-28: Code: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026 | Zoning: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
040, part of the Scenic Corridor (SC) Overlay Zone covering the Santa Ana Canyon area east of the SR-55/SR-91 interchange, protects 'Specimen Trees': oaks with a trunk 25 inches or more in circumference, and pepper or sycamore trees 50 inches or more in circumference, measured four feet above grade. Destroying, cutting down, trimming, topping or pruning a Specimen Tree without a permit is unlawful. An Administrative Specimen Tree Removal Permit is available when a City Arborist, or an ISA-certified arborist authorized to work in the City, files a report with the Planning and Building Department, plus a Council-set filing fee, confirming the tree is dead; diseased and dangerous to nearby trees; structurally weakened and hazardous; a falling risk to structures or utility lines; causing structural damage to a single-family home or required driveway; or subject to a Fire Department removal order.
60. Specimen Trees planted by a homeowner as part of an original landscape plan, and not visible from a right-of-way or a commonly viewed slope, are exempt. Every removal, administrative or discretionary, requires replacement: a minimum 36-inch box tree (24-inch if the City Arborist approves) planted on the same parcel or a City-approved right-of-way spot, with the count set by Table 18-A: one replacement tree for trunks under 38 inches, two for 38-64 inches, three over 64 inches.
Violations & Fines
Destroying, injuring or damaging a Specimen Tree without a permit is a misdemeanor under Section 18.18.040.100, enforced through the general code-violation penalty at Section 1.01.370 of Chapter 1.01. The ordinance separately bans injuring a Specimen Tree by paving over its root zone, piling materials against it, running electricity or fire near it, or topping it to the point of injury under Section 18.18.040.090. A required replacement tree that later dies or is removed must be replaced again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove an oak tree in Anaheim?
What qualifies for the faster administrative tree removal permit?
How many replacement trees does Anaheim require after a Specimen Tree removal?
What happens if someone removes a protected tree without a permit in Anaheim?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anaheim
California rules heatmap·Compare Anaheim to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle tree removal & heritage trees.