Pruning or removing a city street tree requires a Street Tree Permit from Public Works (SMC Ch. 12.64 / Development Code Ch. 16.162). Heritage Oaks — Valley Oak, Coast Live Oak, and Interior Live Oak — are protected anywhere in the City (public or private property) and require a Heritage Tree Removal Permit under Ch. 16.130.
Stockton Municipal Code Chapter 12.64 governs planting, care, and removal of trees in street rights-of-way, public utility easements adjacent to streets, parks, and other public places — work on these trees requires a Street Tree Permit. Development Code Chapter 16.162 sets the procedure under which the Director considers requests to plant, remove, replace, or relocate a City street tree. Development Code Chapter 16.130 (Heritage Tree Permit) protects Heritage Oaks defined as Quercus lobata (Valley Oak), Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak), and Quercus wislizenii (Interior Live Oak) located on public or private property within the City limits; removal of any size, dead or alive, requires a Heritage Tree Removal Permit through the Community Development / Planning Division. Ordinary pruning of non-heritage trees on private property is not regulated, but pruning of a street tree without a permit is a violation.
Removing or significantly pruning a street tree without a permit is a misdemeanor or infraction under Ch. 12.64, with restitution including tree replacement valued under International Society of Arboriculture appraisal methods. Unauthorized removal of a Heritage Oak triggers a replacement requirement (typically multiple replacement trees) plus administrative penalties under the Development Code.
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