Under Rocklin Muni. Code Ch. 17.77, a 'heritage tree' is any oak measuring 24 inches or larger in diameter at 4.5 feet above the root crown. Heritage oaks may be removed only with a Planning Division permit AND enhanced mitigation: planting five 5-gallon native oaks for each heritage tree removed, OR paying an in-lieu fee per tree into the City's Oak Tree Preservation Fund. The replacement ratio is more than double the standard healthy-oak rate (2:1).
Heritage trees under Rocklin's Oak Tree Preservation Ordinance are defined as oaks 24 inches DBH or larger, measured 4.5 feet above the root crown. The City's Oak Tree Removal Permit page explains: 'Heritage trees are oaks that are 24 inches in diameter or larger... may be removed but must be mitigated by the planting of five 5-gallon native oaks for each tree removed, or by paying in lieu fees per tree into the City's established mitigation fund.' This 5-to-1 replacement applies in addition to standard permit requirements. Protected native oak species commonly found in Rocklin include Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni), Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii), and Valley Oak (Quercus lobata). In-lieu fees are set by City Council resolution and deposited into the Rocklin Oak Tree Preservation Fund. Larger development projects may additionally trigger CEQA review for oak woodland conversion under Cal. Public Resources Code Sec. 21083.4 (SB 1334).
Unpermitted removal of a heritage oak triggers full 5-to-1 mitigation, Code Enforcement abatement, restoration orders, and administrative penalties. Heritage tree damage during construction (root zone disturbance, grade change, soil compaction) may also be treated as constructive removal.
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