Santa Cruz Tree Removal Permit & Ordinance Guide
Santa Cruz County, California
Protected Tree Definition
Heritage Tree: any tree with 14+ inch trunk diameter at 4.5 feet. All street trees protected regardless of size.
Heritage / Landmark Trees
Any tree meeting 14 inch DBH threshold is automatically a Heritage Tree.
Permit Requirements
Heritage Tree Permit for removing, relocating, or pruning more than 25% of crown.
Who can apply: Property owner, adjacent property owner (for parkway trees), or authorized agent with arborist report
Required Report Sections
Species identification, DBH (14+ inch heritage threshold at 4.5 feet), health and structural assessment, justification for removal or for crown pruning beyond 25%, photo documentation, replacement plan from approved Santa Cruz Heritage Tree species list
Replacement Requirements
1:1 minimum for heritage tree removal; 24-inch box replacement from approved species list
24-inch box replacement trees from the approved Santa Cruz heritage tree species list emphasizing native and climate-adapted species; in-lieu fees to the Heritage Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible.
Fees & Fines
Processing Time
3-6 weeks
Required Certifications
ISA Certified Arborist; Heritage Tree applications and crown-pruning beyond 25% benefit from ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) for structural assessment
Municipal Code
Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.56
View full ordinanceContact
Parks and Recreation Department
Other California cities
Compare with nearby cities
Data last verified: April 2026. This information is provided as a reference. Always verify requirements directly with Santa Cruz before submitting permits or reports.
Ready to apply? How to apply for a permit in Santa Cruz →
See California replacement obligations compared: How Santa Cruz's replacement ratio ranks in California →
See California heritage criteria compared: How Santa Cruz's heritage designation ranks in California →
Need an arborist report for Santa Cruz?
Start your free TRAQ tree risk assessment — designed for Santa Cruz's specific permit requirements.