San Leandro regulates only trees located on public property and within the public right-of-way (street trees). Private-property trees are not regulated — there is no heritage tree ordinance currently in effect. Street tree rules are in SLMC Title 5 Chapter 5-2 and Administrative Code Chapter 12.
SLMC Title 5 Chapter 5-2 and Administrative Code Chapter 12 establish the City's Street Tree Policy. The City Public Works Department plants and maintains street trees; property owners adjacent to a street tree are responsible for some maintenance (such as keeping sidewalks clear of debris) but cannot remove or top a street tree without a permit. A draft heritage tree ordinance for private property has been discussed by Council since 2014 — proposing protection for trees 24 inches DBH or larger in front yards, excluding non-native species — but it has not been enacted. As of the current code, private property owners may trim or remove their own trees without a City permit, subject to common-law nuisance and any HOA CC&Rs.
Unauthorized removal or topping of a City street tree is a violation of SLMC 5-2 and Administrative Code Chapter 12, with restitution costs typically based on the appraised value of the lost tree under ISA Guide for Plant Appraisal (often $1,000-$10,000+ per tree). No penalties apply to private-tree removal at this time.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Leandro, CA
SLMC §4-1-1115 prohibits use of any loudspeaker, loudspeaker system, public address or similar device between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. when it disturbs neigh...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro is unusual among Bay Area cities: SLMC Article 11 sets only one numeric noise threshold — 5 decibels above ambient at the complainant's property ...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro does not recognize any 'dibs' or 'savie' parking custom. Public streets are public space — placing chairs, cones, garbage cans, or other objects ...
San Leandro, CA
Permitted fence/wall materials are wood, steel, finished concrete, and stucco. Chain-link and corrugated metal fencing are prohibited. Street-facing fences m...
San Leandro, CA
Retaining walls 4 feet or less measured from bottom of footing to top of wall are exempt from a building permit, unless they support a surcharge (e.g., drive...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro has no standalone hoarding statute, but SLMC §4-11-1100 caps household dogs at two and applies an Animal Permit requirement to additional animals...
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