El Cerrito, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Chapter 816-6 of the Contra Costa County Ordinance Code (the Tree Protection and Preservation Ordinance) regulates the removal, destruction, or pruning of protected trees in the unincorporated county. Protected trees include any native tree with a trunk circumference of 20 inches or more (approximately 6.5 inches diameter at breast height) measured 4.5 feet above grade, and any tree designated as a heritage tree by the Board of Supervisors. Covered native species include coast live oak, valley oak, blue oak, black oak, California bay laurel, California buckeye, big-leaf maple, California sycamore, and Pacific madrone. Permits are issued by the Department of Conservation and Development through an arborist review, typically with replacement planting (often 3:1 for heritage species) or in-lieu fees. Activities within the dripline of a protected tree (grading, trenching, paving) also trigger permit review. Exemptions include fruit trees, dead or hazardous trees (verified by a certified arborist), and routine maintenance pruning of less than 25% of the canopy. Emergency removals for imminent hazard require after-the-fact reporting within 48 hours. Civil penalties can reach $10,000 per tree under Chapter 14-12, plus restoration and re-planting orders. CEQA review may apply when removal accompanies a discretionary project.