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

040, to first obtain a permit from the Community Development Department. Where a project's approved conditions already authorize removal, the written permit can take the form of a signed Community Development Department authorization, an approved tree preservation plan, or written approval within a grading or encroachment permit. Subsection E lists mandatory grounds for denial: a finding that removing or damaging a healthy tree could be avoided through reasonable redesign of the site plan, or through trimming, thinning, tree surgery or other treatment as determined by the Community Development Director, or that removal would leave inadequate drainage, erosion control, land stability or windscreen buffering for neighboring properties.

065 based on the project arborist's health and structure rating, one-to-one trunk diameter for trees in good or excellent condition, two-to-one for trees in fair or marginal condition, and none for trees in poor condition. Subsection C requires replacement value to be appraised using the Guide for Plant Appraisal, and Subsection F requires a security deposit during construction set at 20 percent of the first $100,000 of appraised tree value and 10 percent of any value above that threshold, though creeks, riparian corridors, significant groves and City-sponsored projects are exempt from the deposit. 090.