San Leandro has no adopted heritage tree ordinance protecting large or historic trees on private property. A draft 'Protected Tree' ordinance defining trees of 18" diameter or greater has been pending since 2014 but is not yet law.
San Leandro is unique among Bay Area cities in that it has not adopted any heritage or significant tree protection ordinance applying to private property. Following the 2014 removal of a large walnut tree in the Mulford Gardens neighborhood, residents petitioned the City Council, and staff prepared a draft tree preservation ordinance (Legistar File #14-190) under General Plan Policy 44.03, which calls to 'Encourage the preservation and proper care of mature trees throughout the City, particularly those which may have historic importance.' The draft would define a 'Protected Tree' as any live woody plant with a single perennial stem of 18 inches or more in diameter measured at breast height, or any tree of historical significance specifically designated by official Council action. As of June 2026, the ordinance has not been adopted. The City Council unanimously adopted a Tree Master Plan on January 6, 2025, which commits the City to 'review current ordinances to strengthen policies around planting, preservation, and protection,' but no enforceable heritage tree protections currently exist for private property.
No enforcement mechanism exists for heritage trees on private property. Removal of city-owned street trees of any size remains subject to the $1,000 fine under SLMC §5-2-200.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Leandro, CA
SLMC §4-1-1115 prohibits use of any loudspeaker, loudspeaker system, public address or similar device between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. when it disturbs neigh...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro is unusual among Bay Area cities: SLMC Article 11 sets only one numeric noise threshold — 5 decibels above ambient at the complainant's property ...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro does not recognize any 'dibs' or 'savie' parking custom. Public streets are public space — placing chairs, cones, garbage cans, or other objects ...
San Leandro, CA
Permitted fence/wall materials are wood, steel, finished concrete, and stucco. Chain-link and corrugated metal fencing are prohibited. Street-facing fences m...
San Leandro, CA
Retaining walls 4 feet or less measured from bottom of footing to top of wall are exempt from a building permit, unless they support a surcharge (e.g., drive...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro has no standalone hoarding statute, but SLMC §4-11-1100 caps household dogs at two and applies an Animal Permit requirement to additional animals...
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