Santa Clara County, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Santa Clara 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
- Protected size
- 12+ inches trunk diameter, generally
- Permit source
- County Planning Office or Roads Dept.
- Civil penalty
- $5,000 per tree removed unlawfully
- Application lead time
- At least 10 days before removal
Summary
Cutting down a protected tree, generally one 12 inches or more in trunk diameter, on private or public land in unincorporated Santa Clara County requires an administrative or encroachment permit first.
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove any protected tree on any private or public property in designated areas of the County without having first obtained an administrative permit...from the County Planning Office or an encroachment permit...from the Department of Roads and Airports.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Division C16 of the County Ordinance Code makes it unlawful to remove a protected tree in designated areas, Hillside-zoned parcels of three acres or less, Design Review combining districts, the Los Gatos Hillside Specific Plan Area, New Almaden's historic district, heritage trees, and any tree on County property or road right-of-way, without a permit from the County Planning Office or an encroachment permit from the Department of Roads and Airports. Exceptions exist for dead, dying, or hazardous trees, licensed nurseries, and active agricultural or orchard production. Applications need photos, a tree survey, and a replanting plan; unpermitted removal draws a $5,000 civil penalty per tree.
Violations & Fines
Removing or adversely pruning a protected tree without a permit carries a $5,000 civil penalty per tree, plus a misdemeanor charge of up to $1,000 and six months in jail for skipping the noticing requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a permit needed to remove a dead tree?
Does the county permit apply inside Cupertino or Campbell?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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