Thousand Oaks Oak Tree Ordinance TOMC Title 5 §5-15 has protected native oaks since 1971, requiring permits for removal, encroachment, or pruning over two inches with strict replacement mitigation.
Adopted in 1971 reflecting the city's namesake oaks, TOMC Title 5 Chapter 15 protects native species including coast live oak, valley oak, and scrub oak with trunk diameter at least two inches. Permits are required for removal, encroachment within the protected zone (typically dripline plus five feet), and pruning over two inches. Removal triggers replacement at ratios up to ten-to-one for heritage trees, plus in-lieu fees deposited to the Oak Tree Preservation Fund. Construction near oaks needs arborist-supervised root protection. Penalties for unpermitted removal can exceed $20,000 per tree plus replacement requirements.
Unpermitted oak removal: fines to $20,000+ per tree, replacement mitigation, and possible misdemeanor. Damage during construction triggers stop-work and arborist remediation plans.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks has one of the strongest Heritage Tree Ordinances in Ventura County, protecting native oaks, sycamores, and California black walnuts. Trees wit...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks requires replacement plantings when Heritage Trees are approved for removal. Replacement ratios range from 2:1 to 10:1, with long-term monitori...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Tree removal in Thousand Oaks requires permits for all Heritage Trees. Applications are reviewed by the Community Development Department, and an arborist rep...
See how other cities in Ventura County handle protected tree species.
See how Thousand Oaks's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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