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

Before cutting, relocating, or otherwise destroying a significant tree, an applicant must file a tree permit application with the planning division (private property) or public services department (public property), along with the fee set by the City Council, under Sec. 26-261. The Community Development Director or designee investigates the site and weighs the tree's condition (disease, damage, danger of collapse), whether denial would create an unreasonable hardship on the property owner, the tree's contribution to shade, erosion control and neighborhood character, and whether any recorded plan requires the tree's preservation, per Sec.

26-262(a)(1). The Director may approve, conditionally approve, or deny the removal; conditions can include replacing the tree with one of comparable species and size, relocating it on- or off-site with a five-year survival guarantee from a licensed arborist, or paying restitution value if no suitable replacement site exists. A tree permit tied to a development application is instead reviewed by the Planning Commission alongside that application and expires with it; a standalone removal permit is valid for ninety days after the appeal period, subject to extension, under Sec.

26-262(d). Six categories of work need no permit at all under Sec. 26-260: emergency or routine trimming to protect utility lines, emergency removal of storm-damaged limbs, removal of a tree a public services department or City arborist determines is diseased beyond viability, nursery or tree-farm stock, right-of-way trees blocking required sight distance, and trees the City Engineer finds will damage public improvements. Denials may be appealed under Sec. 26-193.