San Clemente has no protected-tree or heritage-tree permit for ordinary private-property trees, so a City tree-removal permit is generally not required for a healthy tree on your own lot. City approval is required for street and right-of-way trees, and for trees required by an approved plan or in scenic corridors.
The San Clemente Municipal Code does not establish a general protected-tree register or a private-property tree-removal permit, unlike some California cities. As a result, most homeowners can remove an ordinary private-property tree without a dedicated City tree permit. City approval is required, however, for: (1) street trees and trees in the public right-of-way, which are City property managed under Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places, including Chapter 12.28); (2) trees required by an approved landscape plan or condition of development under Chapter 17.68 (Landscape Standards), which must be maintained and replaced; and (3) trees in designated scenic corridors protected by the City's Master Landscape Plan. Grading or development that removes trees may also require planning and CEQA review.
Removing a City street tree, a scenic-corridor tree, or landscaping required by an approved plan without authorization can result in Code Compliance citations, mandatory replacement/restoration and enforcement under the applicable code chapter. Unauthorized development-related removals can trigger stop-work orders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Under California SB 1383, San Clemente requires single-family and multifamily residents to subscribe to organics collection and recycle green waste and food ...
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San Clemente's Landscape Standards require living, drought-tolerant plant material and permeable surfaces, with required landscaping at least 60 percent Cali...
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San Clemente's Landscape Standards require drought-tolerant, water-efficient landscaping for new and rehabilitated projects. Under Municipal Code Section 17....
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San Clemente has no ordinance prohibiting residential rainwater harvesting, and California's Rainwater Capture Act (2012) allows homeowners to collect roofto...
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The City of San Clemente is the water utility for most of the city; the Talega area is served by Santa Margarita Water District. Permanent water-waste restri...
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San Clemente's annual Weed Abatement Program treats overgrown weeds and dry vegetation as a fire hazard and nuisance. Owners must clear weeds and debris by M...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle tree removal permits.
See how San Clemente's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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