Union City, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Union City, 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
- Residential trigger
- 35-inch trunk circumference
- Zoning/subdivision trigger
- 12-inch trunk circumference
- Permit authority
- Public Works Director
- Violation status
- Deemed a public nuisance
- Exemptions
- Emergency hazards, orchard farming
Summary
Union City requires a permit before trimming or removing protected trees, generally those with a 35-inch trunk circumference on residential lots, or 12 inches when tied to a zoning or subdivision approval, per Alameda County, California code § 12.16.170.
The trees protected by this chapter are: All trees which have a thirty-five-inch or greater circumference of a trunk... on residential property... All trees which have a twelve-inch or greater circumference of any trunk, when removal relates to any transaction for which zoning approval or subdivision approval is required... It is unlawful for any person to trim or remove a tree covered by this section without a permit issued under the provisions of subsections E and F of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 12.16 declares tree preservation necessary for public health, welfare, and erosion control, and Union City Municipal Code § 12.16.170 makes it unlawful to trim or remove a covered tree without a Public Works Director permit. Protected trees include those with 35+ inches of trunk circumference on residential property, and any tree with 12+ inches of circumference on vacant, commercial, or industrial land, or one tied to a pending zoning or subdivision approval. The Director weighs the tree's condition, erosion risk, neighborhood tree count, and site capacity before granting, denying, or conditioning a permit, often requiring replacement trees. Emergency-hazard and orchard-farming removals are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Removing or trimming a protected tree without a permit is deemed a public nuisance; the City can pursue civil abatement and charge the tree's full replacement value under § 12.16.200.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my Union City yard?
What happens if I remove a protected tree without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle tree removal & heritage trees.