Anaheim, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

040 protects specific tree species by size within the Scenic Corridor (SC) Overlay Zone, which layers over the underlying zoning in the Santa Ana Canyon area to preserve the canyon's natural character. A 'Specimen Tree' is any tree of the Quercus (oak) varieties with a trunk 25 inches or more in circumference, or any Schinus (pepper) or Platanus (sycamore) tree 50 inches or more in circumference, measured four feet above ground. It is unlawful to destroy, meaning cut down, remove, trim, top or prune damagingly, a Specimen Tree in the overlay zone without a permit.

An Administrative Specimen Tree Removal Permit, filed with the Planning and Building Department for a Council-set fee, can be issued on an arborist's report showing the tree is dead, diseased and a danger to nearby healthy trees, structurally weakened, a falling hazard to structures or utility lines, causing structural damage to a single-family home or required driveway, or ordered removed by the Fire Department. 60, valid for one year. Trees planted by the current or a prior homeowner as part of the original landscape plan, not visible from a right-of-way or a commonly viewed slope, are exempt.

Any Specimen Tree that is removed must be replaced on the same parcel or nearby right-of-way with minimum 36-inch box stock (24-inch if the City Arborist approves), in a quantity keyed to Table 18-A: one replacement for trees removed under 38 inches in circumference, two for 38-64 inches, and three for trees over 64 inches, drawn from the species lists in Tables 18-B and 18-C.