Hayward, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Hayward, 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
- Permit required for
- Removal, relocation, girdling, severe pruning
- Protected size threshold
- 4 in. DSH native, 8 in. non-native
- Residential replacement
- Two 24-in. box trees per tree
- Commercial street tree replacement
- One 36-in. box tree
- Permit duration
- 3 months, one 3-month extension
- Unpermitted removal fine
- 2x permit fee (Sec. 10-15.29)
Summary
Removing, relocating, or severely pruning any Protected Tree in Hayward, native species over 4 inches in diameter, street trees, or large non-native trees, requires a city permit under Section 10-15.21. The Planning Director grants it only after making the findings in Section 10-15.22, and replacement trees or in-lieu fees are mandatory.
(1)A permit is required to perform any of the following actions on Protected Trees described in Section 10-15.14:a.Tree removal.b.Routine maintenance for Memorial and Heritage trees.c.Any extreme root or branch pruning that is not consistent with standard arboriculture practices for a healthy tree, including pollarding, topping, lion-tailing, or severe pruning.d.Removal of the bark around the circumference of the tree (girdling).e.Relocation or transportation of a tree without a permit.f.Digging, trenching, grade changes, and soil compaction or paving within the tree protection zone.g.Attaching ropes, signs, or wires to a tree.h.Any action(s) that foreseeably leads to the death of a tree or permanent damage to its health or structure.i.Pruning of branches greater than four (4) inches in diameter of Protected Trees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 28 Update 1 | Charter: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
14 to include native species four inches or larger in trunk diameter, street trees, and non-native trees eight inches or larger on commercial lots or in residential front yards. Pruning cuts on branches over four inches in diameter also need a permit. A tenant who is not the property owner must attach the owner's written consent to the application, and any pruning permit removing more than one-third of a tree's canopy requires an arborist report. 21, preservation of the most valuable specimens, no increased erosion or runoff, and, for development projects, that no feasible plan change would save the tree, plus at least one of eight additional findings such as severe decline, high tree-risk rating, utility conflict, or geological hazard.
Replacement scales to property type: residential removals of two or fewer trees require two 24-inch box replacement trees per tree removed, commercial street tree removals require one 36-inch box tree, and larger removals are valued by an arborist's appraisal. A construction bond covering the appraised value of retained trees must be posted with the Landscape Architect before a grading or building permit issues. The permit is valid three months, with one three-month extension available, except the optional annual pruning permit, valid one year for applicants with a staff Certified Arborist, a city business license, and liability insurance. 2845.
Violations & Fines
Removing or pruning a Protected Tree without the Section 10-15.21 permit, or working outside an approved plan, is enforced under Section 10-15.29: an administrative citation carrying a fine of double the permit fee, plus mitigation the Director values from photos, prior plans, or Google Earth/Street View imagery if no part of the tree remains to appraise. Development projects can be ordered to stop work until the permit is obtained, and citations are appealable to a hearing officer under Sections 1-7.07 through 1-7.10, with judicial review under Section 1-7.13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in my Hayward yard?
How many trees do I have to replant after removing one?
How long does a Hayward tree removal permit last?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hayward
California rules heatmap·Compare Hayward to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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