Folsom, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected categories
- Native oak, heritage, landmark, regulated trees
- Native oak species
- Valley, blue, interior live, coast live oak
- Single-trunk oak threshold
- 6-inch DSH triggers protection
- Multitrunk oak threshold
- 20-inch combined DSH
- Root zone radius (standard)
- 1 ft per inch of trunk diameter
- Major pruning trigger
- Cuts of 2 inches or more in diameter
Summary
Folsom's tree ordinance protects four native oak species at just 6 inches of trunk diameter, plus any heritage, landmark, or zoning-required regulated tree, under Municipal Code Section 12.16.020. Cutting, major pruning, or grading within a protected tree's root zone requires a permit regardless of whether the tree is on private property.
Protected Tree. Trees protected under this chapter include native oak trees, heritage trees, landmark trees, and regulated trees, as defined herein. ... “Native oak tree” means one of the following indigenous species of tree or hybrids of any of the trees listed below, with a minimum diameter as shown in Table 12.16-7: Valley Oak Quercus lobata 6" 20"; Blue Oak Quercus douglasii 6" 20"; Interior Live Oak Quercus wislizenii 6" 20"; Coast Live Oak Quercus agrifolia 6" 20". *A native multitrunked tree listed above with a single stem six inches or greater shall be considered a native oak tree.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 1369, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
020 defines "protected tree" to include native oak trees, heritage trees, landmark trees, and regulated trees. The native oak category is species-specific and size-triggered: valley oak (Quercus lobata), blue oak (Quercus douglasii), interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii), and coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) all become protected at a six-inch single-trunk DSH, or twenty inches combined DSH if multitrunked, and a multitrunked native oak with even one stem at six inches or greater still counts as a native oak tree. Regulated trees are a separate, purpose-driven category: trees the zoning code requires, such as parking lot shading trees and street trees, trees required as a condition of project approval like landscape screening, or trees required as mitigation planting under this chapter.
040 bans topping, nailing or screwing objects into it, wounding it with vehicles or trimmers, and any grading, trenching, soil compaction, or impervious surface installation inside its tree protection zone unless specifically approved. "Major pruning," defined as cutting an individual branch or root of two inches or more in diameter, or more than ten percent of the crown or root system in twelve months, triggers the same tree work permit as removal. 030 applies the more stringent set of requirements.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted cutting, major pruning, or root-zone disturbance of a protected native oak, heritage, landmark, or regulated tree is a misdemeanor under Section 12.16.220, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both, and is classified as a Level E administrative violation. Where the violation causes a critical impact to the tree, the city arborist must set the monetary sanction at no less than double the in-lieu mitigation fee that Section 12.16.150(B)(2) would otherwise charge for that species and diameter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tree species are protected under Folsom's tree ordinance?
Do all oak trees on my property count as protected?
What activities are banned around a protected tree's root zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Folsom
California rules heatmap·Compare Folsom to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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Protected Tree Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle protected tree species.