Apple Valley, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

76 covers all private land in the Town of Apple Valley and Town-owned public land. 010(D) requires a removal permit for any regulated native tree or plant; if the removal is part of a land use application, grading permit or building permit, that permit review doubles as the tree removal review, otherwise a standalone permit must come from the Planning Division. 020(E): smoketree (Dalea spinosa), the agave family (Mohave yucca, Lord's candle, barrel cactus), mesquite species, creosote rings ten feet or more in diameter, and all Joshua trees.

010(E) that the tree interferes with an approved structure, street, utility, or public safety, or is already damaging existing improvements. Limited exceptions exist for government-owned land, utility line clearance, emergency removal, and bona fide agriculture with 30 days' written notice to the Town Manager. A plot plan approved by the Town Review Authority must identify exactly which trees are authorized for removal before work begins, and a pre-construction inspection by the Building Official is required. Trap fencing installed at least 25 percent beyond the dripline is mandatory during construction to prevent root compaction.