OMC Title 12.36 (Heritage Tree Ordinance) protects Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) over 4 inches diameter and any tree over 9 inches diameter on private property; removal or significant pruning requires a permit and replacement plantings.
Oakland's Heritage Tree Ordinance (OMC 12.36) protects Coast Live Oaks at four inches diameter at breast height (DBH) and all other trees at nine inches DBH on private property, plus Monterey pines and other listed species in the public right-of-way. Removal, severe pruning, or root-zone construction requires a tree-removal permit issued by the Tree Services Division, with arborist report for protected oaks. Replacement plantings or in-lieu fees fund Oakland's urban forest, especially in canopy-deficient flatlands neighborhoods. Penalties for unpermitted removal can include thousands per tree plus replacement.
Unpermitted removal of a protected tree triggers fines from 1,500 dollars up to multiple thousands per tree, mandatory replacement at higher caliper, and possible misdemeanor charges; construction damaging roots is treated similarly.
Oakland, CA
Oakland provides enhanced protection for heritage and significant trees under the Protected Tree Ordinance. Coast live oaks receive species-level protection ...
Oakland, CA
Oakland has a Protected Tree Ordinance (OMC Chapter 12.36) requiring permits for removal of coast live oaks over 4 inches DBH and other protected species. Al...
Oakland, CA
Oakland Protected Trees Ordinance (OMC §12.36) requires permits to remove any protected tree on public or private property. Protected: coast live oaks 4"+ tr...
See how Oakland's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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