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

Section 8.06.030 defines "native tree" to cover coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis), Englemann oak (Quercus engelmannii), California sycamore (Platanus racemosa), and any species native to southern California, but the narrower "protected tree" definition reaches only the coast live oaks among them. Under § 8.06.070(C), trimming, pruning, or removing a protected tree is subject to the whole chapter's permit scheme, and § 8.06.120(B) requires anyone who wants to trim, prune, or remove a protected coast live oak in a nonemergency to file an application the Director evaluates against eight factors: the tree's condition and disease risk, the necessity of removal for property improvements, erosion and drainage effects, the species' longevity and growth rate, its ecological value for wildlife, its effect on shade and scenic value, how many trees the parcel can support, and whether feasible alternatives exist.

Section 8.06.120(C) then requires City Council authorization before any protected tree is actually removed. In a true emergency threatening public health or safety, the Director may give verbal authorization to remove one, but the responsible party must replant within 30 days unless the Director waives that requirement, per § 8.06.120(D). Topping of protected trees is separately barred outright under § 8.06.220 unless topping is needed to address a public-safety threat, and anyone who damages or removes a protected tree without authorization owes the City the tree's value plus assessment costs under § 8.06.070(B).