Tree removal permit rules in Nevada County, CA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Most of unincorporated Nevada County does not impose a general tree-removal permit on private property, but a Tree Removal Permit is required within the Nevada City Sphere of Influence Area Development Policy (ADP). Inside Nevada City limits, Ordinance 2023-03 requires a city permit for any tree with a cumulative diameter at breast height of 4 inches or more (Madrone, Manzanita, Oak) or 6 inches or more for all other species.
Nevada County does not currently have a countywide oak-woodland or heritage-tree ordinance comparable to El Dorado or Sonoma. Outside special overlays, private tree removal is generally permitted without a County tree permit, though grading, riparian setbacks, biological resource standards under L-II 4.3, and FHSZ defensible-space requirements all still apply. Within the Nevada City Sphere of Influence ADP, however, a Tree Removal Permit from the County Planning Director is required before removal; certain dead, diseased, or hazardous trees are exempt. Inside the Nevada City limits the City's Vegetation Ordinance 2023-03 controls: a permit is required for Madrone, Manzanita, or Oak with 4+ inches DBH (cumulative), and 6+ inches DBH for any other species. Statewide, the California Oak Woodlands Conservation Act and CEQA require analysis of significant impacts to native oaks for discretionary projects.
Unpermitted removal inside the Nevada City SOI or City limits is a code violation subject to administrative fines and may require replacement plantings or restitution. Removing protected riparian or biological-resource trees without County review can trigger a Stop Work Order and CEQA mitigation.
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See how Nevada County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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