Huntington Beach, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Huntington Beach, 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, replanting, or relocation
- Filing deadline
- At least 10 days ahead
- Permit fee
- None (§13.50.070)
- Unauthorized removal
- Flatly barred by §13.50.180
- Appeal window
- 30 days to City Council
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
Summary
You cannot cut down, remove, or relocate a tree on a Huntington Beach street, parkway, or public place without a permit from the Public Works Director. Section 13.50.120 requires the same application, 10-day filing, and no-fee process used for planting, and Section 13.50.180 separately bans destroying or defacing any such tree outright.
§ 13.50.120. Permit—Planting. No person shall plant, replant, relocate or remove any tree from any street, parkway or public place without first complying with Sections 13.50.050 through 13.50.070. ... § 13.50.180. Defacing Prohibited. No person shall cut down, pull up, burn, destroy or remove any tree, plant or shrub in any street or public place. No person shall trim, skin, deface or remove the outer trunk surface or bark of any tree, plant or shrub located in any street or public place to such extent or in such manner as to deface, injure, destroy or endanger the life of any tree, plant or shrub. No person shall attach any wire, nail, advertising material or any other foreign object to any tree, plant or shrub, or allow any gaseous liquid or solid substance to come into contact therewith, which gaseous liquid or other substance is harmful to such tree, plant or shrub.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954605; v17 updated 2026-06-16).
Full Breakdown
070. 070. 180 backs the permit system with a flat prohibition: no one may cut down, pull up, burn, destroy or remove any tree, plant or shrub in any street or public place, or trim, skin, deface, or strip the bark of one to the point of injuring or endangering it, or attach wire, nails, or advertising material to it. 170. 080 lets the Director require a bond before removal work begins, to cover the City's cost if the permittee fails to follow the standards.
Violations & Fines
Huntington Beach has no standalone tree-removal fine; an unpermitted removal or an act barred by Section 13.50.180 falls under the Municipal Code's general penalty, Section 1.16.010, a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000.00 fine, up to six months in jail, or both. Interfering with the Director's enforcement of the removal permit process is separately barred by Section 13.50.030.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a street tree in front of my Huntington Beach house myself?
What information does a tree removal permit application need?
Is there a fee to apply for a tree removal permit?
What if the City denies my removal request?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Huntington Beach 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.