Murrieta, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Murrieta, 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
- Governing section
- Municipal Code § 16.42.070(A)
- Permit issued by
- Planning director
- Required documents
- Tree report, site map, replacement plan
- Contractor license needed
- C-61 or D-49 CSLB license
- Exception
- Removal within a discretionary permit application
Summary
Murrieta requires a director-approved tree removal permit before any protected tree can be cut down, removed, or destroyed, and the application must include an arborist's tree report and a replacement plan under Municipal Code Section 16.42.070.
16.42.070 Tree Removal Permit.
A. Permit Required. No protected tree shall be removed, cut down, or otherwise destroyed, unless a tree removal permit has been approved by the director. Notwithstanding the above, a tree removal permit shall not be required in the event that the removal or relocation of a protected tree is proposed as part of a discretionary permit application. While a tree removal permit is not required, all other provisions of this chapter shall still apply to the discretionary permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-23: A Codification of the General Ordinances of the City of Murrieta, California through Ord. 634-26, passed 7-7-2026).
Full Breakdown
070(A) of the Murrieta Municipal Code states plainly that 'no protected tree shall be removed, cut down, or otherwise destroyed, unless a tree removal permit has been approved by the director,' though a separate permit is not required when the removal is proposed as part of a discretionary permit application, since that application is reviewed under the same chapter's standards instead. 095 replacement standards; proof of a valid California Contractors State License Board license, such as a C-61 Limited Specialty or D-49 Tree Service license, for whoever performs the work; and written authorization from the property owner. 090 if the tree cannot be preserved. 100 before approving, conditioning, or denying the permit.
Violations & Fines
Removing, cutting down, or destroying a protected tree without an approved tree removal permit violates Section 16.42.070(A) and Section 16.42.060, and is enforceable under Murrieta Municipal Code Section 1.32.010 as an infraction ($100 first offense, $200 second, $500 for further offenses within a year) or as a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in county jail; the city may also require replacement trees under Section 16.42.095 as a condition of resolving the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a protected tree in Murrieta without a permit?
What has to be included in a Murrieta tree removal permit application?
Who is qualified to remove a protected tree once a Murrieta permit is approved?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Murrieta
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