Santa Cruz Municipal Code §9.56.060 requires a permit before removing or significantly working on any Heritage Tree or Heritage Shrub. Permits are issued by the Parks & Recreation Director.
Heritage status is conferred under §9.56.040 criteria (size, species, historic, cultural, or visual significance). Significant work means pruning, root pruning, trimming, cutting off, removal, or anything altering physical structure. Work must be done by a state-licensed tree contractor (§9.56.090). Approved or unapproved removals require mitigation under §9.56.100 (replacement plantings or in-lieu fees). Emergency removals are allowed under §9.56.080 with after-the-fact reporting.
Misdemeanor under §9.56.110. Mitigation requirements for unapproved removal can include large replacement plantings.
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