Which city has stricter heritage tree protections, Burbank or Davis?

Both Burbank and Davis maintain heritage / landmark tree designations. Burbank: Landmark Trees and Heritage Trees designated by City Council based on exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, aesthetic significance, or community value. 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, Burbank or Davis?

Burbank publishes a typical processing time of 4-6 weeks; Davis publishes 3-6 weeks. Compare each city's published timeline and plan removal accordingly — emergency-tree provisions may shorten the wait in either city.

Where are tree replacement obligations heavier, Burbank or Davis?

Burbank requires a replacement ratio of 1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark/Heritage trees. Davis requires a replacement ratio of 1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark Trees and heritage native oaks. Burbank: Replacement species from approved Parks and Recreation list; 15-gallon minimum container size. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund 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: Burbank vs Davis, California

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

Side-by-side comparison

Field	Burbank	Davis
Protected tree definition	Protected Tree: all street trees and trees on public property regardless of size; native trees (oaks, California sycamore, California bay) 6+ inches DBH on private property; Landmark and Heritage trees designated by City Council.	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	Landmark Trees and Heritage Trees designated by City Council based on exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, aesthetic significance, or community value.	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, adjacent property owner (for parkway trees), 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 street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark/Heritage trees	1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark Trees and heritage native oaks
Replacement details	Replacement species from approved Parks and Recreation list; 15-gallon minimum container size. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund 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	4-6 weeks	3-6 weeks
Permit fee	Not documented	Not documented
Permitting department	Parks and Recreation Department	Public Works Department
Municipal code	View ordinance →	View ordinance →

How they differ

Which city has stricter heritage tree protections, Burbank or Davis?: Both Burbank and Davis maintain heritage / landmark tree designations. Burbank: Landmark Trees and Heritage Trees designated by City Council based on exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, aesthetic significance, or community value. 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, Burbank or Davis?: Burbank publishes a typical processing time of 4-6 weeks; Davis publishes 3-6 weeks. Compare each city's published timeline and plan removal accordingly — emergency-tree provisions may shorten the wait in either city.
Where are tree replacement obligations heavier, Burbank or Davis?: Burbank requires a replacement ratio of 1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark/Heritage trees. Davis requires a replacement ratio of 1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark Trees and heritage native oaks. Burbank: Replacement species from approved Parks and Recreation list; 15-gallon minimum container size. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund 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.

Burbank next steps

Davis next steps

Filing in Burbank or Davis?

Capture an ISA TRAQ Level 1, 2, or 3 assessment in the field and export a municipality-ready PDF that fits each city's required report sections. Free, no account required.

Start a TRAQ assessment