Sacramento County, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected species
- valley, live, blue, oracle oak
- Minimum size
- 6-inch trunk diameter
- Coverage area
- designated urban unincorporated area
- Enforcing agency
- Director of Public Works
- Permit term
- valid 6 months
Summary
The county's Tree Preservation Ordinance bars removing, killing, or grading within the dripline of native oak trees six inches or larger in the designated urban area without a Public Works permit.
No person shall trench, grade or fill within the dripline of any tree or destroy, kill or remove any tree as defined, in the designated urban area of the unincorporated area of Sacramento County, on any property, public or private, without a tree permit, or unless authorized as a condition of a discretionary project approval by the Board of Supervisors, County Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, the Zoning Administrator or the Subdivision Review Committee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Sacramento County's Tree Preservation Ordinance protects native oak trees, valley, interior live, blue, and oracle oak, with a trunk six inches or more in diameter, or ten inches aggregate for multi-trunked trees, within the county's designated urban area (§ 19.12.040). No person may trench, grade, or fill within the dripline, or destroy, kill, or remove a protected tree, public or private, without a tree permit from the Director of Public Works or approval as part of a discretionary project (§ 19.12.060).
Violations & Fines
Removing, killing, or grading within the dripline of a protected native oak without a permit violates the Tree Preservation Ordinance; the County can deny the permit, require mitigation, and the removal can still be halted or unwound through the approving body's enforcement process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which oak species are protected in unincorporated Sacramento County?
Can I remove a protected oak tree without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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