Santa Clara County, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- County advisory agency, as map condition
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Santa Clara County subdivisions only
- Security
- Performance and labor/materials bonds required
- Deferral option
- Separate bond if planting delayed
- Code section
- Ordinance Code § C12-184(j)
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County subdivisions must plant street trees and erosion-control landscaping in road rights-of-way when required by the advisory agency as a tentative map condition, secured by bond.
(j)Street landscaping and erosion control. Street trees, erosion control plantings and watering facilities in the subdivision or within rights-of-way shown on the subdivision map may be required by the advisory agency as a condition of approval of the tentative map. Such plantings and facilities shall be shown on the street improvement plans. The work shall be included in the performance and labor and materialmen's bonds for street improvements. The subdivider may delay tree and erosion control planting and watering facilities, in which case he may be required to file a separate bond.(k)Drainage design and improvement. The subdivision, including its lot design, proposed structures and improvements, shall conform to good drainage practice to reduce flooding and economic loss due to storm water within and outside the boundaries of the subdivision.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Under the Santa Clara County subdivision ordinance, the advisory agency may require street trees, erosion control plantings, and watering facilities within the subdivision or in road rights-of-way shown on the subdivision map, as a condition of tentative map approval in unincorporated Santa Clara County. These plantings must be shown on the street improvement plans and are secured through the subdivider's performance and labor-and-materials bonds for street improvements. A subdivider may delay the tree and erosion-control planting and watering-facility installation, but must post a separate bond covering that deferred work before the final map records.
Violations & Fines
Failure to install the required street trees and erosion-control plantings, or to post the bond covering deferred work, can hold up final map recordation and building permits for the subdivision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside San Jose or other cities?
Who decides whether street trees are required in a new subdivision?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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