Elk Grove, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Designation authority
- City Council, by resolution
- Owner consent
- Required for private property
- Qualifying criteria
- 5 categories (species, age, history, form, rarity)
- Owner benefit
- Free City Arborist consultation
- Removal of status
- Requires new Council resolution
Summary
The Elk Grove City Council can designate a 'landmark tree' by resolution based on species, size, age, form, or historical significance under EGMC § 19.12.030, but only with the property owner's consent, and removing that status later also requires a Council resolution after an arborist review.
A landmark tree is a tree that has been determined and designated, by resolution of the City Council, to be of high value to the community because of its species, size, age, form, historical significance, or some other professional criterion. ... The City Council may only approve designating a tree(s) as a landmark tree if the property owner has given their consent to the designation. C. Criteria for Landmark Tree. A tree may be designated a landmark tree if it meets any of the following criteria: 1. The tree is an outstanding specimen of a desirable species; 2. The tree is one of the largest or oldest trees in the City; 3. The tree is of historical interest; 4. The tree is of distinctive form; or 5. The tree is an unusual species, significant grove, or is otherwise unique.
Full Breakdown
Any person may propose a landmark tree designation to the Community Development Director, who routes it to the City Arborist for review before sending it to the City Council for action. 030(B)(3) bars the Council from approving the designation unless the property owner has consented. 030(C) lists five qualifying criteria: an outstanding specimen of a desirable species, one of the city's largest or oldest trees, a tree of historical interest, a tree of distinctive form, or an unusual species, significant grove, or otherwise unique tree.
030(D). Removing the designation follows its own process: a private owner submits a removal request to the Community Development Director, or the Public Works Director submits it for City-owned or right-of-way trees; the Director routes the request to the City Arborist for a health-and-character report, then prepares a recommendation for the Council, which votes by resolution to retain or remove the designation.
Violations & Fines
Once designated, a landmark tree falls under the tree permit requirement in § 19.12.070: cutting down, removing, topping, relocating, or working within the critical root zone of a landmark tree without an approved tree permit is a violation of Chapter 19.12, and any authorized removal still requires mitigation consistent with Article IV of the chapter unless an alternative is approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Elk Grove designate my tree as a landmark without my okay?
What do I get if my tree becomes a landmark tree?
Who decides if a landmark designation should be removed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Elk Grove
California rules heatmap·Compare Elk Grove to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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