Tree removal permit rules in Ventura County, CA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Ventura County has a strong oak tree protection ordinance for unincorporated areas. The county's Oak Woodland Preservation Ordinance prohibits removal of oak trees with trunk diameter of 9.5 inches or greater without a permit from the Resource Management Agency.
Ventura County's tree protection regulations in unincorporated areas focus heavily on native oak trees. The county's Oak Woodland Preservation provisions protect valley oaks, coast live oaks, and other native oak species. Oak trees with a trunk diameter of 9.5 inches at breast height (DBH) or greater are protected and cannot be removed without approval from the Resource Management Agency. Removal permits require an arborist report, mitigation plan, and typically 2:1 or higher replacement planting. Heritage trees (exceptionally large or significant specimens) receive enhanced protection. Trees in the Coastal Zone may be subject to additional Coastal Commission review. Dead or hazardous trees may be removed with documentation but still require notification. The county's oak woodland habitat is ecologically significant and provides wildfire resilience.
Unauthorized removal of a protected oak tree: $10,000-$25,000 per tree plus mandatory replacement at 10:1 or higher ratio. Damage to protected oaks (including root zone grading): $5,000-$15,000 per tree. Criminal prosecution possible for willful destruction. Mitigation monitoring required for 5-7 years after replacement planting.
Ventura County, CA
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Ventura County, CA
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Ventura County, CA
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Ventura County, CA
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Ventura County, CA
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Ventura County, CA
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