Temecula, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Temecula, 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
- Permit required for
- cutting, removal, relocation, protected-zone encroachment
- 5 or fewer trees/parcel
- reviewed by community development director
- More than 5 trees
- reviewed by planning commission
- Standard mitigation
- 3 on-site replacement trees per tree removed
- Unauthorized removal restitution
- 3 replacement trees or in-lieu fee
- Appeal path
- director to planning commission to city council
Summary
Cutting, removing, relocating or encroaching into the protected zone of a Protected Tree in Temecula requires a city Protected Tree Removal or Relocation Permit under TMC 8.48.210, unless a listed exception applies. Requests for five or fewer trees go to the community development director; larger or entitlement-linked requests go to the planning commission.
Except as allowed under subsection B of this section, no person shall cut, remove, or relocate a Protected Tree, or encroach into the protected zone of any Protected Tree without first obtaining a Protected Tree Removal or Relocation Permit from the city in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862229; v11 updated 2026-04-14).
Full Breakdown
210(A) bars anyone from cutting, removing, relocating a Protected Tree, or encroaching into its protected zone, without first getting a permit. Subsection B exempts ISA-standard pruning and health maintenance, trees a city arborist finds irreparably diseased or dead, imminent-danger removals ordered by police, fire or code enforcement, fire department emergency removals, cases where an owner cannot obtain insurance because of the tree, CEQA-cleared capital projects, right-of-way or sight-distance work directed by public works, and utility or public-agency facility work. 090. 230(A)). 230(C)).
Violations & Fines
Removing or damaging a Protected Tree without a permit is a criminal misdemeanor or administrative citation under Chapters 1.16, 1.20 and 1.21, and a public nuisance abatable under Chapter 8.12 (8.48.300). If a violation happens during development, the city can issue a stop-work order until a certified arborist prepares a mitigation plan the director approves (8.48.310(B)). Restitution runs three replacement trees per tree removed or damaged, or an in-lieu fee at a two-to-one ratio (8.48.320); unpaid fines become a special assessment lien collected with the property tax bill (8.48.330).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many replacement trees does Temecula require after an approved removal?
What happens if I remove a Protected Tree without a permit?
Can I prune a Protected Tree without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temecula
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