Rancho Cordova, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Rancho Cordova, 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 ordinance
- RCMC Title 19, Ch. 19.12 (Preservation and Protection of Private Trees)
- Protected native oaks
- Valley, interior live, blue, or oracle oak: 6+ inch trunk diameter
- Protected other species
- 12+ in. diameter (nonresidential) or 24+ in. (residential)
- Permit needed for
- Removal, killing, damage, or major trimming of a protected tree
- Application review
- Within 20 business days of a complete application
- Permit validity
- 6 months (one 6-month extension available)
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor: up to 6 months jail and/or $1,000 fine per day
Summary
Rancho Cordova has its own tree removal permit ordinance, it is not governed by Sacramento County's rule. Under RCMC Title 19, Chapter 19.12 (Preservation and Protection of Private Trees), no person may damage, kill, remove, or perform a major trimming of a protected tree, a native oak 6+ inches in trunk diameter, or any other tree species 12+ inches (nonresidential) or 24+ inches (residential) in diameter, without an approved tree permit from the public works director.
No person shall trench, grade or fill within the dripline of any protected tree, or damage, kill or remove any protected tree, or perform a major trimming of any protected tree without an approved tree permit.
It shall be the responsibility of the owner or lessee/tenant of the property on which the protected tree is located and the person performing tree work to have the approved tree permit and/or a copy of the conditions of permit approval at the work site.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4660102; v2 updated 2026-03-02; through 03-02-2026).
Full Breakdown
A protected tree permit is required before anyone trenches, grades, or fills within a protected tree's dripline, or damages, kills, removes, or performs major trimming on one. The property owner (or their arborist) applies to the public works director with a certified-arborist statement, a tree inventory/site sketch, and, for removals, a tree replacement plan; staff review the completed application within 20 business days. An approved permit is valid for six months, with one extension of up to six more months available. Emergency removals (an imminent, serious threat to health or safety) are allowed before a permit is issued, but require an after-the-fact application within 10 business days, including a photo and a certified arborist's or emergency responder's documentation of the hazard. , the tree was dead, diseased beyond saving, or causing structural damage with no reasonable alternative).
Violations & Fines
Violating the tree preservation chapter (RCMC § 19.12) is a misdemeanor: each day a violation continues is a separate offense, punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000, in addition to any required tree replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sacramento County's tree ordinance apply in Rancho Cordova?
Do I need a permit to remove a native oak tree?
Can I remove a hazardous tree without waiting for a permit first?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cordova
California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cordova to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle tree removal & heritage trees.