Los Angeles, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected trees
- Oak (all indigenous species except scrub oak), Black Walnut, Western Sycamore, California Bay
- Protected shrubs
- Mexican Elderberry, Toyon
- Size threshold
- 4 inches cumulative diameter at 4.5 ft above base
- Exemption
- Licensed-nursery grown trees and planting-program trees
- Code section
- LAMC § 46.01
Summary
Los Angeles protects four indigenous tree species and two shrub species by ordinance; any specimen measuring four inches or more in cumulative diameter at 4.5 feet above the base requires a permit before it can be removed or relocated.
SEC. 46.01. DEFINITION.
"PROTECTED TREE OR SHRUB" means any of the following Southern California indigenous tree species, which measures four inches or more in cumulative diameter, four and one-half feet above the ground level at the base of the tree, or any of the following Southern California indigenous shrub species, which measures four inches or more in cumulative diameter, four and one-half feet above the ground level at the base of the shrub:
Protected Trees:
(a) Oak tree including Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) and California Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), or any other tree of the oak genus indigenous to California but excluding the Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia).
(b) Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica).
(c) Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa).
(d) California Bay (Umellularia californica).
Protected Shrubs:
(a) Mexican Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana).
(b) Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia).
This definition shall not include any tree or shrub grown or held for sale by a licensed nursery, or trees or shrubs planted or grown as a part of a planting program.
Full Breakdown
Protected trees are all indigenous California oaks (Valley Oak, California Live Oak, and other oak genus species, but excluding scrub oak), Southern California black walnut, western sycamore, and California bay. Protected shrubs are Mexican elderberry and toyon. The 4-inch cumulative diameter is measured at 4.5 feet above the ground at the base of the tree or shrub. Trees grown or held for sale by a licensed nursery or planted as part of a formal planting program are exempt from protection.
Violations & Fines
Removing or relocating a protected tree without a permit is unlawful. Building permits on the property can be withheld for up to 10 years. Violating the conditions of an issued permit is a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a large valley oak in my backyard protected?
Are toyon shrubs protected?
Does a planted oak tree also require a permit to remove?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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Heritage & Protected Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle heritage & protected trees.