Pismo Beach, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Encroachment permit from the director of public works
- Historical-object clause
- Director has discretion to deny a permit for a tree valued as an historical object
- Replacement
- Like kind and size at a ten-to-one ratio after unpermitted work
- Parkway maintenance
- Ordinary maintenance of trees in place needs no permit
- Construction guards
- Builders must protect nearby public-place trees with guards
Summary
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, no one can deface, destroy, burn or remove a tree in a public place without an encroachment permit from the director of public works, who has discretion to deny the permit when a tree has value as an historical object. Work done without the permit must be answered with replacement trees at a ten-to-one ratio.
C. Maintenance or Removal. ... No person shall deface, destroy, burn or remove trees in public places without first filing an application and securing an encroachment permit from the director of public works, except that ordinary maintenance of trees in place in parkways shall not require such a permit. ... ... 2. Standards of Issuance. The director shall issue the permit provided herein when he finds that the desired action or treatment is necessary or appropriate and that the proposed method of treatment is acceptable. If upon determination of the director, a tree has value as an historical object, the director may deny the permit on such basis. ... Any person who shall trim, deface, destroy, burn or remove trees in public places without first filing an application and securing an encroachment permit shall be required to replace the tree(s) with a like kind and size on at least a ten-to-one ratio as determined by and to the satisfaction of the director.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 12.12 of the Pismo Beach Municipal Code governs trees in public places, which § 12.12.010 defines to include streets, public areas and parkways, and it names the director of public works as the director. Section 12.12.030(C) requires an application and an encroachment permit before anyone defaces, destroys, burns or removes such a tree; ordinary maintenance of trees in place in parkways needs no permit. The application states the number and kind of trees, the treatment to be given, and the kind and condition of the nearest trees on adjoining property. Under 12.12.030(C)(2) the director issues the permit when the action is necessary or appropriate and the method is acceptable, and if a tree has value as an historical object the director has discretion to deny the permit on that basis. This page covers that historical-object clause; it does not describe a designation program or register of heritage trees.
Other sections in the chapter protect public trees day to day. Section 12.12.060 bars anyone from damaging, cutting, carving, transplanting or removing a tree, injuring its bark, or digging around or disturbing the root system in a parkway or other public area. Section 12.12.070 requires anyone in charge of erecting, repairing, altering or removing a building to protect any public-place tree nearby with sufficient guards or protectors. Section 12.12.080 makes it unlawful to attach electric wires, signs, ropes or boards to a tree in a street or parkway. Section 12.12.020 lets the director inspect a tree and trim or remove one found to be a hazard.
Native oaks are a separate matter. Section 17.30.070 of the 1998 Zoning Code protects them on public and private property under a land use permit, and its rules do not replace the encroachment permit in § 12.12.030.
Violations & Fines
Under § 12.12.100, anyone who trims, defaces, destroys, burns or removes a tree in a public place without first filing an application and securing an encroachment permit must replace it with a like kind and size on at least a ten-to-one ratio, to the satisfaction of the director. Chapter 1.20 also makes a violation of a city ordinance a misdemeanor unless specifically made an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or six months in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pismo Beach refuse a permit to remove a tree with historical value?
What is the penalty for removing a public tree without a permit?
Does trimming a street tree need a permit?
Who is responsible for parkway trees next to my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pismo Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Pismo Beach to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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