Union City, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

The trees protected by this chapter are:

a. All trees which have a thirty-five-inch or greater circumference of a trunk, or in the case of multitrunk trees, a total of seventy inches or more of the circumference of all trunks, where such trees are located on residential property;

b. All trees which have a twelve-inch or greater circumference of any trunk, when removal relates to any transaction for which zoning approval or subdivision approval is required;

c. Any tree that existed at the time of a zoning approval or subdivision approval and was a specific subject of such approval or otherwise covered by paragraph (b) of this subdivision;

d. Any tree that was required to be planted by the terms of a zoning approval or a subdivision approval;

e. All trees which have a twelve-inch or greater circumference of any trunk and are located on a vacant lot or undeveloped property;

f. All trees which have a twelve-inch or greater circumference of any trunk and are located on commercial, office or industrial developed property.

3. Measurement of a circumference for the purpose of applying subsection (B)(2) of this section shall be made with a taut tape, three feet above the ground.

C. Prohibition. It is unlawful for any person to trim or remove a tree covered by this section without a permit issued under the provisions of subsections E and F of this section.

D.