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

Oxnard Code of Ordinances Sec. 20-2 makes it unlawful for any person to trim, remove, plant, injure, or destroy a tree, plant, or shrub on public property, though a person may do so with the prior written consent of the superintendent. Sec. 20-5 gives the superintendent authority to remove any tree, or part of one, that appears dead, liable to fall, dangerous, or obstructing the public right-of-way, if the tree is on public property or if a tree on private property overhangs or projects into a public right-of-way.

That reach extends city authority onto private lots wherever a tree's branches or trunk cross into the right-of-way, even though the code otherwise regulates only trees on public property. Before a routine removal, Sec. 20-6 requires the superintendent to give the owner, tenant, or occupant (or their agent) ten days' written notice, except in cases of imminent public danger and immediate necessity, when the tree can come down without notice. Sec. 20-7 lets anyone who objects to a removal notice file a written appeal with the city clerk within ten days of receiving it, along with the hearing fee set by city council resolution under Sec.

20-9. The city manager serves as hearing officer under Sec. 20-8. At the hearing, held in an informal fashion not bound by technical evidence rules, the person requesting the hearing must first present evidence justifying why the tree should not be removed, and only then may the superintendent respond, per Sec. 20-10; the burden of proof rests on the person contesting removal. Sec. 20-11 requires the hearing officer to mail a written decision, with stated reasons, within 14 days of the hearing's conclusion, and that decision is final with no further administrative appeal.