Lake Forest, CA Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Lake Forest does not maintain a broad significant-tree or heritage-tree protection ordinance, so removing an ordinary private tree generally does not require a City permit. The City's signature tree-permit requirement is species-specific: Municipal Code Chapter 6.20 (Regulations Pertaining to Conversion, Maintenance and Removal of Eucalyptus Trees) makes it unlawful, during the restricted period of April 1st through October 31st each year, to prune, cut branches from, top, or cut down any eucalyptus tree, or to transport eucalyptus logs, branches, or trunk on City streets, without a eucalyptus tree cutting permit issued by the City. The purpose is to limit the spread of the eucalyptus longhorn borer beetle by regulating maintenance and prohibiting cutting and transport in the warm months. A governmental agency, public utility, or homeowners association may apply for an annual master permit to cut, prune, remove, or transport eucalyptus on public or private property during the restricted period; permitted work must follow accepted arboricultural practice or be supervised by a qualified arborist. The Director may impose conditions, such as an ongoing maintenance and care program and a requirement that cut eucalyptus wood be chipped, burned, buried, or tarped immediately. For parkway street trees, the abutting owner is responsible under Streets and Highways Code Section 5610, though the City's Public Works Maintenance Division performs the actual pruning, typically November through March. Removal of dry, fire-hazard vegetation is separately addressed by Fire Code 304.1.3 and OCFA fuel-modification rules.