Ventura, CA Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

The City's Parks Division Urban Forestry Program (805-667-6519) regulates all planting, pruning, and removal of trees in the public right-of-way, parkway strip, or city easement; residents must obtain a free permit before any work. Under the Emergency Tree Protection Ordinance (effective February 10, 2026), no person may trim or remove a tree located inside a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service critical habitat area or a Monarch Butterfly overwintering site (mapped in 2050 General Plan Chapter 8, Figure 23, pp. 187-188) without first obtaining a permit from the Planning Division (805-677-3959). The Parks Division removes city-owned trees only for safety reasons (disease, structural failure, root conflicts with sidewalks or utilities); naturally occurring leaf, fruit, or flower litter is not grounds for removal. Trees entirely on private property outside a designated habitat area generally do not need a city permit, but a building or grading permit may trigger replacement conditions. Heritage and street trees fall under San Buenaventura Municipal Code (SBMC) Division 11 (Public Parks, Beaches and Street Trees). California state forestry rules at CCR Title 14 §895 et seq. govern timber harvest outside city limits and do not override the City's right-of-way control.