Santa Barbara Tree Removal Permit & Ordinance Guide
Santa Barbara County, California
Protected Tree Definition
City Tree Preservation Ordinance protects all public/street trees and designated Specimen and Historic trees on private property. Santa Barbara County Oak Tree Protection Ordinance protects native oaks on agricultural-zoned land outside the Coastal Zone.
Protected Species
Heritage / Landmark Trees
Specimen Trees and Historic Trees designated by the Street Tree Advisory Committee or Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical significance, or community value.
Permit Requirements
Public tree removal/pruning requires a Parks and Recreation permit. Specimen/Historic tree removal requires Street Tree Advisory Committee review. Private oak removal on agricultural county land requires a County Oak Tree Permit.
Who can apply: Property owner, adjacent property owner (for parkway trees), or authorized agent with arborist report
Required Report Sections
Species identification, DBH, health and structural assessment, justification for removal, photo documentation, replacement plan, arborist findings
Replacement Requirements
1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Specimen/Historic and protected oaks
15-gallon to 24-inch box replacement from approved street tree or native species list. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible.
Fees & Fines
Processing Time
4-8 weeks
Required Certifications
ISA Certified Arborist
Municipal Code
Santa Barbara Municipal Code Chapter 15.20 (Tree Preservation); Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 35.70 (Oak Tree Protection)
View full ordinanceContact
Parks and Recreation Department
Other California cities
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Data last verified: April 2026. This information is provided as a reference. Always verify requirements directly with Santa Barbara before submitting permits or reports.
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See California heritage criteria compared: How Santa Barbara's heritage designation ranks in California →
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