Laguna Niguel's 2024 tree ordinance requires the Public Works Director's written permission to remove or damage any public, parkway, or park tree. There is no tree-removal permit for trees on private residential property.
Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Title 11, Division 8, Article 7 (Sec. 11-8-60 to 11-8-64), added by Ordinance No. 2024-230 on October 15, 2024, is the City's tree-protection framework, applying to public trees only - those on City-owned or City-maintained property, parkways, and rights-of-way. Sec. 11-8-64(a) makes it unlawful to damage or remove a public tree without written permission from the Public Works Director. Sec. 11-8-63 sets planting standards (ANSI A-300, ISA BMPs), barring planting within a visibility triangle, within ten feet of a fire hydrant, or within fifteen feet of overhead utility lines. The ordinance supports a Tree City USA goal. No permit is required to remove a private-property tree; those are governed by HOA CC&Rs or OCFA fuel-modification plans.
Removing or damaging a public tree without the Public Works Director's written permission violates LNMC Sec. 11-8-64 and can bring code-enforcement action plus liability for the tree's appraised value. Private-property tree removal needs no City permit and no penalty.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Laguna Niguel treats overgrown weeds and dry vegetation as a fire nuisance under LNMC Sec. 11-14-11. Owners must clear weeds over six inches and dead brush w...
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