Redding, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit threshold
- Any tree over 6 inches dbh, all species
- Species-specific list
- None; protection is size or designation based
- Heritage protection
- Landmark and Heritage Tree Plan, Chapter 13.40
- Removal fine
- Up to $2,000 per tree
- Governing section
- RMC 18.45.030
Summary
Redding does not single out particular tree species for protection. Under Section 18.45.030, any tree over six inches in trunk diameter, regardless of species, needs a city tree removal permit before it can be cut down, and individual trees only get extra protection by being named to the Landmark and Heritage Tree Plan.
18.45.030: No tree, regardless of species, that exceeds six inches dbh on any developed or undeveloped/vacant property in the city shall be destroyed, killed, or removed unless a tree removal permit is first obtained under the provisions of this chapter, except as may be permitted pursuant to the terms of Section 18.45.070 (Discretionary permits), or as may be expressly exempted under Section 18.45.040 (Exemptions). ... 18.61.020(8): Landmark or Heritage Tree. Any tree that has been specifically placed on the Landmark and Heritage Tree Plan as established by Chapter 13.40 of the Redding Municipal Code. ... 18.45.100: Pay a fine of up to two thousand dollars per tree for the unauthorized removal or damage to trees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 48).
Full Breakdown
Redding's tree ordinance is built around size and individual designation rather than species. 070. That means an oak, a pine, and a fruit tree are all covered by the same six-inch threshold; the code sets no separate list of protected native or heritage species. 40 of the Redding Municipal Code. 40 plan itself specifically authorizes, which is a stronger protection than the general six-inch rule gives an ordinary tree of any species. 070, again based on qualities like size, health, aesthetic value, or ecological role rather than species membership.
A qualified professional, meaning a registered forester, certified arborist, or biologist, evaluates candidate trees using criteria that include species as one factor among size, health, and location, but species alone does not trigger automatic protection.
Violations & Fines
Unlawful tree removal carries a dedicated penalty under Section 18.45.100: a fine of up to two thousand dollars per tree for unauthorized removal or damage, a requirement to plant and maintain replacement trees in healthy condition for three years, and a bar on further development at the property, aside from corrective work, for up to two years. A violator can seek relief by filing a late removal permit and paying twice the normal application fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Redding protect specific tree species like oaks?
What size tree needs a permit before it can be removed in Redding?
What is the fine for removing a protected tree without a permit in Redding?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redding
California rules heatmap·Compare Redding to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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