Lake County, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

This tree-protection standard is written into the county's Commercial Cannabis Cultivation permit conditions at Sec. 13(at), under the "Prohibited Activities" subsection for cannabis land-use permits issued through Article 27 (Uses Generally Permitted) alongside the Minor/Major Use Permit process in Articles 49-51. It does not create a general tree-removal permit for all parcels; it is a condition attached specifically to developing a cannabis cultivation site. 1 for the Coast Forest District and Northern Forest District, and any true oak species (Quercus) or tan oak (identified in the code as Notholithocarpus).

Removing either category to develop a cultivation site "should be avoided and minimized," a directive standard reviewed by county staff at permitting rather than an absolute ban. Two carve-outs are built in: pruning of a protected tree for its own health is not restricted, and removal is allowed where necessary for safety or disease concerns. Because this sits inside Chapter 21 (the Zoning Ordinance), it is enforced the same way as other zoning conditions: Sec. 5, and Sec. 4(a) makes a violation of any zoning condition punishable as an infraction (fine up to $100) or a misdemeanor (fine up to $500 and/or up to six months in county jail), with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. Sec. 4(b) additionally lets County Counsel pursue nuisance abatement through the Board of Supervisors for land use maintained contrary to the chapter.