Palm Springs, CA Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Palm Springs protects trees under Municipal Code Chapter 8.60 and related urban forestry regulations administered by Public Works and Engineering. A permit from the city is required before removing any tree located in a public right-of-way, median, or parkway, and for protected specimens on private property, most notably heritage date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) that contributed to the city's agricultural history, native California fan palms (Washingtonia filifera) in oases, and significant mesquite and smoke trees. Applicants submit a tree removal request with species, trunk diameter, location photos, and justification such as disease, structural hazard, or approved construction. An arborist report is commonly required for trees over a set diameter threshold. Palms in public medians on Palm Canyon Drive, Tahquitz Canyon Way, and Indian Canyon Drive are treated as civic landmarks and almost never approved for removal. Violations, including unauthorized topping, skirt-stripping that harms health, or outright removal, can result in fines up to several thousand dollars per tree plus mandatory replacement at 2:1 or 3:1 ratios with comparable species. Emergency removal of dead or hazardous palms is allowed with after-the-fact documentation.