Glenn County, CA Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Glenn County does not operate a stand-alone tree-protection or heritage-tree permit program for private property; the phrases 'heritage tree' and 'tree protection' do not appear in the county code. The only county tree-removal permit requirement is in Glenn County Code Chapter 15.12 (Encroachment Permits). Section 15.12.010 makes it unlawful to 'plant, remove, cut, cut down, injure or destroy any tree, shrub, plant or flower growing within any county roadway' without an encroachment permit from the Public Works Director; anyone doing so without a permit is guilty of a misdemeanor and is liable to the county for all expenses and damages caused. Section 15.12.060 allows public utilities an annual permit for limited roadside tree work (trimming, bracing) but expressly excludes 'tree removal, root cutting, tree destruction,' which require a site-specific permit. For trees on private land, county permitting generally is not required, but other rules can apply: California's Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act and Board of Forestry rules govern commercial timber operations and require a Timber Harvesting Plan, and oak-woodland or sensitive-habitat impacts can trigger CEQA review when tied to a discretionary project. Before removing any tree within or overhanging a county road, contact Glenn County Public Works to obtain an encroachment permit.