National City, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Section 13.18.140 of the National City Municipal Code covers removal of city trees, meaning trees in the city's public rights-of-way, parks or other public places that the city maintains (§ 13.18.040(F)). Subsection A requires a written tree removal request to the city engineer or designee and written approval before any removal. Subsection B sets the stump depth at least sixteen inches below the adjacent ground level, or as the city engineer determines, and calls for a minimum of one replacement tree of a type, size and location the city engineer decides is appropriate.

The approval rule is backed by § 13.18.170(A)(1), which requires the city engineer's written approval before removing, cutting, pruning, breaking, injuring or defacing any tree or part of it in the city's rights-of-way, parks or public areas, unless the work follows a city maintenance plan or an approved development. Public utility companies cannot remove a city tree without written permission (§ 13.18.110(D)). The parks, recreation, and senior citizens' advisory board reviews and comments on proposed city tree removals, except emergency removals (§ 13.18.060(A)(3)). An emergency removal is one needed immediately because of an imminent threat to persons or property from structural defect, insect or disease, or imminent failure, as determined by a qualified arborist (§ 13.18.040(H)).

Before construction, § 13.18.150(A) requires a fenced tree protection zone within the dripline of any city tree, and a tree protection and preservation plan approved by the city engineer if digging or trenching will enter that zone.

On private property the Land Use Code (Title 18) works through site plans. Section 18.44.120(A) requires all trees over eight inches caliper to be identified on the site and landscape plans as preserved or removed. Preserved trees that die within three years after construction must be replaced within thirty days of written notice from the city. Under § 18.44.160, a dangerous or utility-blocking private tree is a public nuisance, and public works notices the owner to abate or remove it within seven days.