San Leandro Tree Trimming Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

San Leandro's tree preservation regulations in Municipal Code Title 7, Chapter 7-18 reflect the city's commitment to maintaining its urban forest canopy, which provides shade, air quality benefits, stormwater management, and aesthetic value throughout the community. The ordinance establishes several categories of protected trees that require a permit before removal or significant alteration.

Heritage trees are defined as any tree with a trunk circumference of 55 inches or more measured at 4.5 feet above natural grade, which corresponds to a diameter of approximately 17.5 inches. This threshold captures most mature shade trees, including common East Bay species such as coast live oaks, valley oaks, California bays, redwoods, and large ornamental species like London plane trees and Monterey pines. Trees planted as conditions of development approval — such as landscaping required by planning commission conditions — are protected regardless of size. All street trees planted in the public right-of-way between the curb and the property line are city property and are maintained under the authority of the Public Works Department.

Routine pruning of private trees does not require a permit provided the work follows accepted arboricultural practices. This includes selective thinning, deadwood removal, crown raising for clearance over sidewalks and streets, and structural pruning. However, the removal of more than 25 percent of the live canopy in a single year, or any pruning that substantially alters the natural form of a protected tree, may require review. Topping — the practice of cutting main branches back to stubs — is expressly prohibited for all protected trees because it causes decay, weakens the tree, and creates hazardous regrowth. The city encourages property owners to hire certified arborists (ISA-certified) for work on protected trees.

Tree Removal Permit applications are reviewed by the Community Development Department, and the applicant must demonstrate one or more of the following grounds: the tree is dead, dying, or diseased beyond recovery; the tree poses an imminent hazard to persons or property that cannot be mitigated by pruning or other measures; the tree is causing significant damage to structures, foundations, or utilities that cannot be reasonably remedied; or the removal is necessary to accommodate an approved development project. The city arborist may inspect the tree and require an independent arborist report at the applicant's expense. When removal is approved, the permit typically requires replacement plantings of two trees for each tree removed, using species from the city's approved tree list, or payment of an in-lieu fee.