Placer County, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Light, healthy pruning of trees on your own property in unincorporated Placer County usually does not require a permit. Two county frameworks shape how you trim. First, the Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material Abatement ordinance (Placer County Code Section 9.32, Part 4) calls for tree branches to be limbed up six feet from the ground within the defensible space area to reduce ladder-fuel that lets ground fire climb into the canopy. Second, the county's Tree Preservation Ordinance (County Code Section 19.50) protects most native trees that are six inches diameter at breast height (DBH) or greater, and multi-trunk natives with an aggregate of ten inches DBH or greater. Trimming that goes far enough to materially damage or effectively kill a protected tree is treated the same as removal and requires a tree permit. So ordinary crown cleaning and fire limbing are fine, but heavy topping, over-pruning, or root cutting near a protected oak can cross the line. For street trees and trees in the public right-of-way, contact the county before cutting. State law (PRC 4291) independently requires defensible space limbing around structures regardless of county rules.