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

Westminster does not run a broad heritage-tree ordinance covering private yards; its tree-removal permit system is built around trees in the public right-of-way under the Street Forestry Policy in Municipal Code Chapter 12.12. The policy makes it unlawful for any person to plant, cut, mutilate, prune, injure, or remove a street tree except as the policy provides. Anyone seeking permission to plant, remove, or in any way interfere with the natural growth of vegetation along city streets or on other city property must apply to the Director of Public Works for a permit, and the Director may require the approved work to be performed under departmental supervision. Section 12.12.060 (Planting and removal of street trees) gives the Director authority to plant, remove, regulate, and control all right-of-way vegetation and to designate species, location, spacing, and method; it also sets spacing rules (for example, no tree closer than twenty feet to another tree, utility pole, or light standard, or ten feet to a sewer lateral, driveway, fire hydrant, water meter, or gas meter). Where non-listed trees damage or threaten public infrastructure, the City may remove and replace them with a designated street tree after contacting the adjacent owner. Section 12.12.130 covers parkway trees specifically, confirming they are City trees the City trims on a schedule while the owner waters. For ordinary private-yard trees outside the right-of-way, no citywide removal permit is described, though nuisance rules (Chapter 8.20) reach dead or hazardous trees. Apply or ask through Public Works at (714) 895-2876.