San Diego County, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in San Diego County, 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
- County Code § 71.501
- Issuing authority
- Director (DPW / Parks & Rec)
- Replant deadline
- 30 days after removal
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine / 6 months jail
- Scope
- County property & highways only
Summary
In unincorporated San Diego County, removing, trimming, or destroying any tree, hedge, plant, shrub, or flower on county-owned property or a County highway requires a written permit from the Director before work begins.
No person shall trim, prune, cut, break, deface, destroy, burn or remove any tree, hedge, plant, shrub, or flower growing or to grow upon any County-owned public property within the unincorporated territory of the County unless authorized in writing to do so by the Director, or the Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, whichever is the appropriate County officer, or the Board.
(b) No person shall trim, prune, cut, break, deface, destroy, burn or remove any tree, hedge or shrub from a public or County highway within the unincorporated territory of the County unless authorized in writing to do so by the Director. (Repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 2843 (N.S.), effective 7-8-65; amended by Ord. No. 3032 (N.S.), effective 1-19-67; amended by Ord. No. 6453 (N.S.), effective 11-11-82; amended by Ord. No. 10646 (N.S.), effective 2-14-20)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 71.501 bars anyone from trimming, pruning, cutting, breaking, defacing, destroying, burning, or removing a tree, hedge, plant, shrub, or flower on County-owned public property, or a public or County highway, within unincorporated San Diego County without written authorization from the Director of Public Works, the Director of Parks and Recreation, or the Board of Supervisors. Applicants file with the Director under § 71.503; the Director may grant the permit with conditions or deny it under § 71.504. Anyone who removes a live tree under an issued permit must replant a replacement tree within 30 days, unless the Director waives that requirement for undue hardship.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 71.501 is a misdemeanor under County Code § 11.116, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, six months in County Jail, or both; § 11.117 makes each day of a continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this permit apply to trees on my own property?
What happens if I remove a covered tree without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.