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

Vacaville is one of the more protective Solano County cities for trees. VMC Section 14.09.250.060 (within Chapter 14.09.250 Resource Protection) prohibits any person from removing, destroying, or otherwise causing the destruction of any tree on public or private property with a DBH of six inches or more, unless a Tree Removal Permit has been issued. Applications are filed with the Community Development Department on a form provided by the City, and processing requires a minimum of 21 days. The Director of Community Development (with input from the Director of Public Works for project-related removals) reviews each application against criteria including: whether the project is designed to reduce impacts to trees, the general health and structural condition of the tree, presence of disease or damage, hazard to people or property, proximity to structures or utilities, and interference with utility services. Trees subject to discretionary review (e.g., as part of a Site Development Plan or Use Permit) are reviewed by the decision-making body. Replacement trees are typically required, with the ratio dependent on tree size, species, and site conditions. Exceptions include emergency removal of a hazard tree (with required after-the-fact reporting) and routine maintenance of fruit trees less than the DBH threshold.