San Diego County, CA Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Unlike the City of San Diego, unincorporated San Diego County does not have a heritage- or significant-tree permit covering ordinary private-property trees; a proposed county tree ordinance was not adopted after objections from backcountry and agricultural residents. So for a typical healthy ornamental tree on private land outside protected habitat, no county removal permit is needed. Permits do apply in defined situations. Trees in or over a county road right-of-way require a tree permit from the County Department of Public Works under County Code Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 5; the work must use approved species and follow DPW direction. Removing native trees and vegetation within resources protected by the County Resource Protection Ordinance (RPO) - wetlands, floodways and floodplains, steep slopes (natural gradient 25% or greater with a minimum 50-foot rise), and sensitive habitat lands (RPO findings at County Code section 86.603) - can require discretionary review, an open-space easement, or mitigation. Broader land clearing can also trigger the County Grading, Clearing, and Watercourses Ordinance and, for native habitat impacts, a Habitat Loss Permit. Defensible-space and fire rules separately require (and authorize) removing dead, dying, or diseased trees near structures without those triggering protection review. When in doubt, contact County Planning & Development Services before removing native trees or clearing more than a minor area.