Los Angeles protects four native species – Oak (Quercus), Western Sycamore, Southern California Black Walnut, and California Bay – with a trunk circumference of four feet or more (roughly 15 inches DBH). Removal, relocation, or damage requires a Board of Public Works permit, an arborist report, and 4:1 replacement.
Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 17.05 (and related §46.00) defines a protected tree as any indigenous Oak (Quercus, excluding scrub oak Q. dumosa), Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica), or California Bay (Umbellularia californica) measuring four feet or more in circumference (approximately 15 inches DBH) when measured 4.5 feet above natural grade. Removal, relocation, or any encroachment on the protected zone requires a permit from the Board of Public Works Urban Forestry Division, accompanied by a certified arborist report. The standard mitigation is 4:1 replacement with 24-inch box specimens of the same species. Grading, trenching, or hardscape inside the protected zone (the area five feet outside the dripline) may also trigger permit review.
Unpermitted removal or damage of a protected native tree is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $1,000 per tree, six months in jail, and mandatory replacement at up to 10:1 ratio. Civil penalties may add the appraised tree value (often $10,000+). Repeat violators face stop-work orders on associated construction.
Los Angeles, CA
Anyone caring for injured native wildlife in Los Angeles must hold a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit under Fish and...
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles protects wild birds under LAMC §53.55 and emerging bird-safe building design guidance, layered atop California Fish and Game Code §3500-3516 and ...
Los Angeles, CA
Veterinary offices and small animal hospitals are allowed by-right in LA's C2 and C4 commercial zones under LAMC §12.13 and §12.14. Overnight boarding requir...
Los Angeles, CA
Pet grooming shops in Los Angeles need a city business tax registration and an LA County Department of Public Health animal-care facility permit. Mobile groo...
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations. Front-yard structures must comply ...
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday inflatables. Size, lighting, and motor noise are not separately regulated, though general LA...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle heritage & protected trees.
See how Los Angeles's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.