Buena Park, CA Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Public-property trees in Buena Park are protected through Chapter 12.20 (Plants and Trees on Public Property). Anyone wishing to remove "any standing or growing trees or shrubbery or any ornament or improvement from a parkway adjacent to property owned or lawfully occupied by such persons" must apply in writing to the Director of Public Works, setting forth the reasons. The Director investigates and issues a permit only if the tree "constitutes a private nuisance, is not of the type or species designated for such street or for other good cause shown." Any permit "shall prescribe the method or manner in which such tree, shrub, ornament or improvement shall be removed" and is "conditioned upon the fact that all expenses and costs shall be borne by the applicant." The same chapter prohibits planting in parkways without a permit and bars unauthorized cutting or destruction of parkway vegetation. Parkway landscape improvements require a permit referencing Municipal Code 12.20.010, historically carrying an $85 permit fee. For trees on private single-family lots, Buena Park does not impose a citywide removal-permit requirement, though trees protected by an approved development or landscape plan, or in commercial/multifamily projects, may require approval before removal.