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

The City of Santa Barbara protects both public street trees and certain privately owned trees under SBMC Chapters 15.20 and 15.24. A permit is required to remove a street tree (any tree in a parkway strip, tree well, right-of-way, park, or other City-maintained area), a designated historic or specimen tree, a setback tree (50% or more of the trunk in a front setback), a parking lot tree, or a tree shown on an approved landscape plan. A Minor Tree Removal Permit, processed by the Community Development Department's Planning Division, covers removal of one to three protected trees when no other development is proposed; larger or development-related removals go through a discretionary Planning application. Street trees, right-of-way specimen or historic trees, and setback trees are routed to the Street Tree Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Commission. The reviewing body votes within 60 days, a majority of members present is needed to approve, and there is a 10-day appeal period to City Council before the permit issues. Per the City's Landscape Design Guidelines, removed trees 4 inches or greater in diameter (measured at 4 feet 6 inches above grade) should generally be replaced on at least a 1:1 basis unless the site is unsuitable. Removal may still be approved without replacement if the Municipal Code considerations under SBMC 15.24.080 are satisfied.