Sacramento County, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Heritage tree
- oak, 60in+ trunk girth
- Landmark tree
- any especially prominent tree
- Protection
- factor in variance decisions
- Street design
- realigned to avoid removal
Summary
Sacramento County defines a heritage tree as a California oak with a trunk 60 inches or more in girth, and requires that its presence be weighed before granting a zoning variance or realigning a County street.
"Heritage tree" means a California oak tree growing on any land in Sacramento County, including privately owned land, with a trunk sixty inches or greater in girth measured four and one-half feet above the ground... When an application is made under the County zoning regulations for a variance, consideration shall be given to the presence of a landmark or heritage tree on the parcel of real property in determining whether a variance shall be granted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 19.04 defines a 'heritage tree' as any California oak on any land, including private property, with a trunk 60 inches or greater in girth measured 4.5 feet above ground, and a 'landmark tree' as an especially prominent or stately tree. Under Section 19.04.050, when a property owner applies for a zoning variance, the County must weigh the presence of a landmark or heritage tree on the parcel before deciding whether to grant it, and Public Works must, where feasible, modify street alignments and standard sections to avoid removing or damaging these trees rather than defaulting to cost savings.
Violations & Fines
This section doesn't set its own removal permit or fine; a heritage oak that also meets the six-inch native-oak size threshold still needs a removal permit under the separate Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does heritage status alone stop me from removing my tree?
How big does an oak have to be to count as heritage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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