Which city has stricter heritage tree protections, Beverly Hills or Davis?

Both Beverly Hills and Davis maintain heritage / landmark tree designations. Beverly Hills: Heritage Trees defined under Beverly Hills Municipal Code Article 29: any tree with DBH greater than 48 inches automatically qualifies, plus 16 native species (California Juniper, Blue Oak, Californi… Davis: Landmark Trees designated by City Council or Tree Commission for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value. Tree City USA community since 1978.

Where is a tree removal permit processed faster, Beverly Hills or Davis?

Davis publishes a typical processing time of 3-6 weeks. Beverly Hills does not publish a typical processing time, so confirm the current turnaround directly with Beverly Hills's permitting department.

Where are tree replacement obligations heavier, Beverly Hills or Davis?

Beverly Hills requires a replacement ratio of 1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under BHMC Article 29; higher ratios for landmark and heritage native designations at Council discretion. Davis requires a replacement ratio of 1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark Trees and heritage native oaks. Beverly Hills: 24-inch box minimum replacement trees from the approved species list emphasizing the 16 protected native species (California Juniper, Blue Oak, California Bay, Bigleaf Maple, and 12 additional natives); in-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. Davis: Replacement species from approved Davis Street Tree List; 15-gallon minimum container size. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible.

Tree removal permit rules: Beverly Hills vs Davis, California

A side-by-side comparison drawn from each city's tree-protection ordinance. For the underlying full ordinance text, see the Beverly Hills ordinance page or the Davis ordinance page.

Side-by-side comparison

Field	Beverly Hills	Davis
Protected tree definition	All trees with DBH greater than 48 inches. Additionally 16 native species at lower thresholds.	Protected Tree: any tree on public property, all street trees regardless of size, and designated Landmark Trees on private property. Native oaks, Valley Oak, and other heritage native species 5+ inches DBH protected city-wide on development sites.
Heritage / landmark trees	Heritage Trees defined under Beverly Hills Municipal Code Article 29: any tree with DBH greater than 48 inches automatically qualifies, plus 16 native species (California Juniper, Blue Oak, California Bay, Bigleaf Maple, and 12 additional natives) protected at lower thresholds. Additional landmark designation available by City Council action for exceptional historical or community significance.	Landmark Trees designated by City Council or Tree Commission for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value. Tree City USA community since 1978.
Who can apply	Property owner or authorized agent with arborist report	Property owner, adjacent property owner (for parkway trees), or authorized agent with arborist report
Replacement ratio	1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under BHMC Article 29; higher ratios for landmark and heritage native designations at Council discretion	1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark Trees and heritage native oaks
Replacement details	24-inch box minimum replacement trees from the approved species list emphasizing the 16 protected native species (California Juniper, Blue Oak, California Bay, Bigleaf Maple, and 12 additional natives); in-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible.	Replacement species from approved Davis Street Tree List; 15-gallon minimum container size. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible.
Typical processing time	Not documented	3-6 weeks
Permit fee	Not documented	Not documented
Permitting department	Community Development Department	Public Works Department
Municipal code	View ordinance →	View ordinance →

How they differ

Which city has stricter heritage tree protections, Beverly Hills or Davis?: Both Beverly Hills and Davis maintain heritage / landmark tree designations. Beverly Hills: Heritage Trees defined under Beverly Hills Municipal Code Article 29: any tree with DBH greater than 48 inches automatically qualifies, plus 16 native species (California Juniper, Blue Oak, Californi… Davis: Landmark Trees designated by City Council or Tree Commission for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value. Tree City USA community since 1978.
Where is a tree removal permit processed faster, Beverly Hills or Davis?: Davis publishes a typical processing time of 3-6 weeks. Beverly Hills does not publish a typical processing time, so confirm the current turnaround directly with Beverly Hills's permitting department.
Where are tree replacement obligations heavier, Beverly Hills or Davis?: Beverly Hills requires a replacement ratio of 1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under BHMC Article 29; higher ratios for landmark and heritage native designations at Council discretion. Davis requires a replacement ratio of 1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark Trees and heritage native oaks. Beverly Hills: 24-inch box minimum replacement trees from the approved species list emphasizing the 16 protected native species (California Juniper, Blue Oak, California Bay, Bigleaf Maple, and 12 additional natives); in-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. Davis: Replacement species from approved Davis Street Tree List; 15-gallon minimum container size. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible.

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