Santa Clara protects designated heritage and street trees. Routine trimming on private trees is allowed, but major work on protected trees requires a permit from the city.
Santa Clara City Code Chapter 12.35 addresses trees within the public right-of-way and designated heritage trees. Street trees in the park strip between sidewalk and curb are typically city-owned and may not be trimmed, topped, or pruned by adjacent owners without a permit from the Parks and Recreation Department. Heritage trees above specified trunk sizes on private property are also regulated and require an arborist review for significant pruning. Routine maintenance pruning on non-heritage private trees, up to about 25 percent of canopy in a single year, generally does not require a permit. Utility clearance pruning by PG&E follows separate state rules. Never top trees; topping may be treated as destruction under the heritage tree code.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
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