What Trees are Illegal to Remove in Ventura County?

In Ventura County, California, certain trees are protected under the Ventura County Tree Protection Ordinance of 1992 (updated periodically) and cannot be removed without a permit in unincorporated county areas. The following categories of trees are generally illegal to remove without proper authorization:

Protected Native Trees:

• Oaks (all species, including Coast Live Oak, Valley Oak, and Scrub Oak)
• California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
• Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis)
• California Bay (Umbellularia californica)
• Any “native tree” with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 6 inches or greater, or a combined trunk diameter of 8 inches or greater for multi-trunk trees.

Heritage Trees:

• Trees designated as "heritage" due to their size, age, historical significance, or ecological value. These can include non-native species if they meet specific criteria (e.g., exceptional size or cultural importance).

Historically or Culturally Significant Trees:

• Trees listed on the Ventura County Historical Landmarks list or identified as significant by the county’s Cultural Heritage Board.

Trees in Specific Zones:

• Trees within environmentally sensitive areas, such as coastal zones, oak woodlands, or areas designated under the county’s General Plan, may have additional protections.

Key Restrictions:

• Permit Requirements: Removal, pruning, or encroachment (e.g., construction within the protected zone, which is defined as 5 feet outside the canopy’s edge or 15 feet from the trunk) of these trees requires a permit from the Ventura County Planning Division.
• Exemptions: Some exemptions apply, such as for trees posing an immediate hazard (e.g., risk of falling due to storm damage), trees on single-family residential lots under specific conditions, or trees in agricultural operations, but these still require verification or emergency permits.
• Penalties: Unauthorized removal can result in fines, replacement planting requirements (often at a 10:1 ratio for oaks), or other mitigation measures.

How to Verify:

• One can always check with the Ventura County Resource Management Agency (Planning Division) at 805-654-2488 or visit their website for specific guidelines and permit applications.
• For trees near power lines or in public spaces, contact the City of Ventura’s Urban Forestry office at 805-667-6519 or your local municipality if within city limits (e.g., Oxnard, Thousand Oaks).

Always confirm with the county or our certified arborist, as regulations can vary slightly based on location (unincorporated areas vs. cities) and specific tree conditions and situations.