San Benito County, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

San Benito County's regulations focus on tree removal rather than ordinary maintenance trimming, so light pruning and shaping of trees on private residential property is typically allowed without a County permit. However, the County does protect certain trees: the Tree Protection ordinance in Chapter 25, Article 7 of the County Code (Section 25.07.018) covers single-family residential (R1) and residential-multiple (RM) districts, and the Woodlands chapter (Chapter 19.33) limits removal of native trees and woodlands in unincorporated areas. Severe topping or cutting that destroys a protected tree can be treated as removal and may require a permit from the Planning Director. Owners of structures on mountainous, brush-, or grass-covered land in the State Responsibility Area must also trim and space vegetation to maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California Public Resources Code 4291, including limbing up trees and keeping branches away from chimneys and roofs. For trees near power lines, the utility, not the homeowner, generally handles line clearance. When in doubt about whether planned work counts as trimming or removal, check with County Planning before cutting.