Orange County, CA Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Unlike many California jurisdictions, unincorporated Orange County does not operate a broad tree-removal permit program for most private property. Reporting and conservation advocates have repeatedly noted that Orange County is the only county in the six-county Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) region without adopted native-tree protections. The County prepared a draft 'Protected Tree' permit framework as part of the 'Orange is the New Green' Zoning Code update (referenced in the draft as Zoning Code Section 7-9-69 / a 'Protected Tree Removal or Damage Permit'). As drafted, it would require a permit before cutting, removing, or damaging a protected native tree (single trunk 5 inches or more diameter at breast height; multi-trunk where any two trunks combine to 23.6 inches circumference), define a 'Protected Zone' extending at least 10 feet beyond the dripline (or 20 feet from the trunk, whichever is greater), and require replacement at a 5:1 ratio with a 10-year establishment period. Crucially, that draft limits coverage to parcels of 20,000 square feet or more in the Silverado-Modjeska and Foothill/Trabuco specific-plan canyon areas, excludes the Coastal Zone and state parks, and has not been adopted as a general countywide ordinance. Owners in those canyon/specific-plan areas should confirm current permit requirements directly with OC Public Works before removing protected trees.