What's the most common DBH threshold for heritage designation in California?

Across 15 verified cities in California with a numeric DBH heritage threshold, the median is 17.5 inches DBH (range 5 inches DBH to 48 inches DBH). The remaining 30 verified cities use case-by-case council/commission designation based on age, historical association, or species rarity.

Do heritage trees require a special permit in California?

Yes — heritage trees in every verified California jurisdiction require a more rigorous removal review than standard protected trees. Heritage status overrides any DBH-based exemption, so even a smaller heritage tree typically requires a removal permit. Many ordinances also require public hearing or notice, mandate replacement at higher ratios (often 2:1 or 3:1 for heritage versus 1:1 for standard), and impose larger penalties for unpermitted removal. Confirm the exact procedure with each city's row below.

Which cities have the strictest heritage criteria in California?

The strictest published DBH triggers in California are Simi Valley (5 inches DBH), Folsom (6 inches DBH), Walnut Creek (9 inches DBH) — lower thresholds mean more trees automatically qualify for heritage protection. Cities without a numeric trigger rely on council designation case-by-case.

Heritage tree designation criteria in California

What makes a tree a heritage tree across 45 verified California cities. Heritage status overrides standard DBH-based exemptions and triggers a more rigorous removal review than ordinary protected trees — often with higher replacement ratios and public-hearing requirements.

Lowest DBH (strictest)

5″ DBH

Simi Valley

Median DBH

17.5″ DBH

across 15 verified cities

Highest DBH (loosest)

48″ DBH

San Luis Obispo

Designation-only: 30 of 45 cities have no numeric DBH trigger — heritage status is awarded case-by-case by Council, Planning Commission, or Tree Commission rather than by inch threshold.

Most-named species in heritage / protected definitions: Oak (30 cities), Sycamore (11 cities), Buckeye (6 cities), Bay (5 cities), Maple (5 cities).

Heritage criteria comparison

Sorted ascending by extracted DBH (or DSH/circumference normalized to diameter). Designation-only cities appear last. Click a city for the full ordinance page or the ordinance link for the underlying municipal code.

Heritage-tree designation criteria by city, sorted ascending by DBH threshold (when published). Includes ordinance language, the underlying protected-tree definition, replacement ratio, and a link to the municipal code.
City	Heritage criteria	Protected-tree definition	Replacement ratio	Code
Simi Valley	5″ DBH Mature Trees designated under the Simi Valley Mature Tree Preservation Ordinance receive heritage-level protection: native oak species at 5-inch or greater diameter, all other species at 9.5-inch or greater diameter, measured at 4.5 feet above root crown. Tree Advisory Board reviews removal applications and may recommend additional landmark designation.	Mature Tree: native oaks 5+ inches diameter, other species 9.5+ inches diameter, at 4.5 feet above root crown.	2:1 minimum for mature tree removal under the Mature Tree Preservation Ordinance; in-lieu fees accepted at Tree Advisory Board discretion	Ordinance
Folsom	6″ DBH Heritage Trees designated by City Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value under the Folsom Tree Preservation Ordinance; any tree with 6-inch or greater trunk diameter at 4.5 feet automatically subject to protected-tree review (multi-trunk threshold 20-inch aggregate).	Any tree with 6+ inch trunk diameter at 4.5 feet. Multi-trunk: 20+ inch aggregate if no single trunk exceeds 6 inches.	1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under the Folsom Tree Preservation Ordinance; 24-inch box replacement from approved species list	Ordinance
Walnut Creek	9″ DBH Heritage Trees designated by the Design Review Commission and City Council under Walnut Creek Municipal Code Chapter 3-8 for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value; any tree with 9-inch or greater diameter (28-inch circumference) measured at 4.5 feet automatically subject to permit review.	Trees larger than 9 inches diameter (28 inches circumference) at 4.5 feet.	1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under WCMC Chapter 3-8; 2:1 inch-for-inch for heritage trees at Design Review Commission discretion	Ordinance
Saratoga	10″ DBH Heritage Trees designated by City Council under Saratoga Municipal Code Article 15-50 for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value; any tree with 10-inch or greater circumference (~3.2 inches diameter) automatically subject to permit review. Native oaks and trees on hillside parcels receive enhanced heritage-level scrutiny.	Trees with 10+ inches circumference (~3.2 inches dia) or larger are regulated.	1:1 inch-for-inch replacement for protected tree removal under SMC Article 15-50; tree appraisal valuation accepted in lieu of on-site replanting	Ordinance
Mountain View	12″ DBH Heritage Trees defined automatically by size under Mountain View Municipal Code Chapter 32: any oak, redwood, or cedar with 12-inch or greater circumference (~4 inches diameter), or any other species with 48-inch or greater circumference (~15 inches diameter), measured 54 inches above grade. Heritage status attaches on size threshold without separate Council designation.	Heritage trees: oaks/redwoods/cedars at 12 inches circumference (~4 inches dia), all others at 48 inches circumference (~15 inches dia). Measured at 54 inches above grade.	1:1 minimum for heritage tree removal under MVMC Chapter 32; 24-inch box replacement from the approved species list	Ordinance
Santa Clara	12.1″ DBH Heritage Trees: any tree meeting the 38-inch circumference threshold, or designated by Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value.	Heritage Tree: any tree with 38-inch circumference (~12 inches diameter) or greater measured at 4.5 feet above grade, OR any tree designated by Council. All street trees and trees on public property are protected regardless of size.	1:1 minimum; 2:1 inch-for-inch for heritage-size specimens	Ordinance
Santa Cruz	14″ DBH Any tree meeting 14 inch DBH threshold is automatically a Heritage Tree.	Heritage Tree: any tree with 14+ inch trunk diameter at 4.5 feet. All street trees protected regardless of size.	1:1 minimum for heritage tree removal; 24-inch box replacement from approved species list	Ordinance
Pleasanton	17.5″ DBH Any tree meeting 55 inch circumference or 35 foot height threshold.	Heritage trees: 55+ inches circumference (~17.5 inches dia) at 4.5 feet, or 35+ feet height.	1:1 minimum for heritage tree removal; 24-inch box replacement minimum from approved species list	—
Dublin	24″ DBH Heritage Trees defined under Dublin Municipal Code Chapter 5.60: any tree with 24-inch or greater trunk diameter (75.36-inch circumference) at 4.5 feet automatically qualifies, plus oaks, California buckeyes, and additional native species at lower thresholds. Designation by City Council also available for exceptional historical or community significance.	Heritage trees: 24+ inches diameter (75.36 inches circumference) at 4.5 feet, plus certain species.	1:1 minimum for heritage tree removal under DMC Chapter 5.60; in-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible	Ordinance
Hayward	24″ DBH Heritage Trees: any tree 24+ inches DBH regardless of species, or trees designated by City Council for historical/cultural significance.	Protected Tree: any tree 6+ inches DBH on vacant/underdeveloped lots and developed lots subject to new development or discretionary review. Native oaks, California Sycamore, and Big Leaf Maple protected at 4+ inches DBH. Ordinance overhauled August 2025 to broaden protection.	1:1 for protected trees; 2:1 for heritage trees; caliper-inch mitigation option for large trees	Ordinance
Elk Grove	30″ DBH Heritage Trees: any tree designated by City Council for size, age, historical significance, or community value; automatic designation for native oaks 30+ inches DSH.	Native Tree: any native oak with 6+ inch DSH (single trunk) or 10+ inch aggregate DSH (multi-trunk) at 4.5 feet. Heritage Trees: any tree designated by City Council, or any native oak 30+ inches DSH.	Inch-for-inch replacement up to a cap; 3:1 count-based for heritage native oaks	Ordinance
Thousand Oaks	36″ DBH Heritage Oaks: any oak tree 36+ inches DBH. Additional Heritage designation by Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value.	Oak Tree Preservation Ordinance protects all oak trees 2+ inches DBH (single trunk) or 4+ inches DBH aggregate (multi-trunk). Heritage Oaks (36+ inches DBH) receive enhanced protection. California Sycamore and other native trees also protected.	2:1 for oaks; 10:1 or inch-for-inch mitigation for Heritage Oaks	Ordinance
Redwood City	38″ DBH Heritage Trees designated by City Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value; any tree with 38-inch or greater circumference (12 inches diameter) measured between 6 and 36 inches above ground automatically subject to permit review under the Tree Preservation Ordinance.	All trees on private property exceeding 38 inches circumference (12 inches dia) measured between 6 and 36 inches above ground.	1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under the Tree Preservation Ordinance; in-lieu fees accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible	Ordinance
Beverly Hills	48″ DBH 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.	All trees with DBH greater than 48 inches. Additionally 16 native species at lower thresholds.	1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under BHMC Article 29; higher ratios for landmark and heritage native designations at Council discretion	Ordinance
San Luis Obispo	48″ DBH Heritage Oaks: any standalone oak 48+ inches DBH.	Native trees 10+ inches DBH, non-native 20+ inches DBH, palms 12+ inches DBH. Heritage Oaks: 48+ inches DBH require Minor Use Permit.	1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under SLOMC 12.24; 2:1 or higher for Heritage Oaks (48+ inch DBH) at Minor Use Permit discretion	Ordinance
Anaheim	Heritage/Landmark Trees designated by City Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value.	All street trees, parkway trees, and trees on public property are protected regardless of size. Development-related tree preservation applies to boundary trees and designated landscape trees per the Zoning Code.	1:1 minimum for street/parkway trees; development mitigation per approved landscape plan	Ordinance
Burbank	Landmark Trees and Heritage Trees designated by City Council based on exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, aesthetic significance, or community value.	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.	1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark/Heritage trees	Ordinance
Campbell	Significant/Heritage Trees designated by City Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value.	Protected Tree: any tree with 38-inch circumference (~12 inches diameter) or greater at 4.5 feet above grade; all trees on public property and street trees regardless of size; Heritage/Significant Trees designated by Council.	1:1 minimum; 2:1 or higher for Heritage/Significant Trees	Ordinance
Carlsbad	Heritage Trees designated by City Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value per the City Tree Ordinance.	Protected Tree: all street trees and trees in public parks or on public property regardless of size; native trees (oaks, California Sycamore) and Heritage Trees on private property. Development projects require tree preservation per the Landscape Manual.	1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Heritage Trees and protected natives	Ordinance
Claremont	Heritage Trees designated by City Council based on recommendations of the Community and Human Services Commission for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value.	Known as the "City of Trees and PhDs." Protected Tree: all street trees and trees on public property regardless of size; native trees (oaks, sycamores) 8+ inches DBH on private property. Heritage Trees designated by City Council.	1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Heritage Trees and protected natives	Ordinance
Concord	Heritage Trees designated by Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical significance, or community value; automatic designation for riparian trees meeting threshold in creek/stream corridors.	Protected Tree: any tree 6+ inches DBH within the structural setback of creeks or streams, any native oak 6+ inches DBH city-wide, and heritage trees designated by Council. Street trees on public property are protected regardless of size.	1:1 minimum; 2:1 for heritage trees or native oaks	Ordinance
Cupertino	Heritage Trees designated by Council, Planning Commission, or Director based on exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value.	Protected Tree Ordinance regulates 12 specific species (6 native oaks plus Big Leaf Maple, Deodar Cedar, Monterey Pine, California Buckeye, Western Sycamore, Blue Atlas Cedar) at 10+ inches DBH. Species-based rather than general size-based protection. Heritage Trees designated regardless of size.	1:1 to 3:1 depending on tree size and significance; inch-for-inch mitigation for Heritage Trees	Ordinance
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.	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.	1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark Trees and heritage native oaks	Ordinance
Glendale	Indigenous Trees designated under Glendale Municipal Code Chapter 12.44 — California Live Oak, Valley Oak, California Black Walnut, Western Sycamore, California Bay, Toyon, and California Juniper receive automatic heritage-level protection regardless of size, with additional landmark designation available by City Council action for exceptional age, historical significance, or community value.	Indigenous (protected) trees. No pruning cut larger than 2 inches without permit. Topping prohibited. Over 25% foliage pruning prohibited without permit.	1:1 minimum for indigenous tree removal under GMC 12.44; replacement species drawn from the approved Glendale native species list	Ordinance
Irvine	Designated windrow trees and landmark trees identified through the General Plan/Open Space element receive heritage-level protection.	Trees in the public right-of-way, parking lot trees and boundary trees required by the Zoning Ordinance, and eucalyptus windrows designated for preservation. Private residential yard trees generally not regulated outside of development review.	1:1 minimum; windrow trees replaced in-kind per approved landscape plan	Ordinance
Long Beach	Heritage Trees designated by the Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission based on exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or aesthetic significance.	All street/parkway trees and trees on public property are protected. Heritage Trees designated by the Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission receive enhanced protection regardless of location.	1:1 minimum for parkway trees; enhanced ratios for Heritage trees at Commission discretion	Ordinance
Los Angeles	Any tree designated as a Historic-Cultural Monument by the Cultural Heritage Commission.	Any Southern California native tree species measuring 4 inches or more in cumulative diameter at 4.5 feet above ground. Protected species include native oaks, Southern California Black Walnut, Western Sycamore, California Bay, Toyon, Mexican Elderberry.	2:1 for protected trees (varies by size)	Ordinance
Los Gatos	Heritage Trees designated by Town Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value; trees on hillside parcels receive heritage-level protection regardless of size.	Protected Tree: native trees (oaks, redwoods, California Sycamore, California Buckeye, Big Leaf Maple) 4+ inches DBH; all other species 8+ inches DBH. All trees on hillside parcels and all street trees protected regardless of size. Heritage Trees designated by Council.	2:1 inch-for-inch for native trees; 1:1 for non-native protected trees; higher ratios for Heritage Trees	Ordinance
Menlo Park	Heritage trees designated for health, size, species rarity, and community significance per Municipal Code Chapter 13.24.	Heritage Tree: any tree with 47.75-inch circumference (~15.3 inches diameter) at 54 inches above natural grade, OR any oak 31.5-inch circumference (~10 inches diameter), OR trees of any size designated by Council. Ordinance in effect since 1979.	2:1 minimum for heritage tree removal (by inch or by count per Arborist determination)	Ordinance
Oakland	Heritage Trees designated by Planning Commission.	Coast Live Oaks 4+ inches DBH. Other species (except eucalyptus/Monterey pine) 9+ inches DBH.	1:1 minimum for protected coast live oak removal; replacement species and ratio for other protected trees set as a permit condition by the city arborist	Ordinance
Palo Alto	Heritage trees designated by City Council for exceptional significance.	Species-specific DBH: 11.5 inches for natives (oaks, maples, cedars), 18 inches for Coast Redwoods, 15 inches for all others. All street trees protected.	Per Table 3-1 in Technical Manual Section 3.02	Ordinance
Pasadena	Landmark trees designated for exceptional size, age, species rarity, or significance.	All oak trees and most other trees with DBH of 6+ inches on private property. Categories: mature, landmark, native, specimen trees.	2:1 minimum for protected trees; higher ratios (3:1+) for landmark and native specimen trees at Council discretion	Ordinance
Riverside	Heritage Trees designated by City Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value. County oaks automatically protected at the size threshold.	City Heritage Trees designated by Council, all trees on public property and street trees regardless of size. County Oak Tree Ordinance (Ord. 559) protects native oaks 2+ inches DBH on parcels over 0.5 acres at 5,000+ feet elevation in unincorporated Riverside County.	3:1 for native oaks under county ordinance; 2:1 for city Heritage Trees; 1:1 for street trees	Ordinance
Sacramento	Trees designated by City Council for outstanding historical, ecological, or aesthetic significance.	City trees, private protected trees (large trees, native oaks, sycamores, buckeyes). Native oaks with 6+ inch DBH or multi-trunked with 10+ inch aggregate.	1:1 based on DBH of tree removed	Ordinance
San Diego	Heritage/Landmark Trees designated for historical, ecological, or community significance.	Public trees with 8+ inch caliper at 4 feet. Also Landmark, Heritage, Parkway Resource, Preservation Grove, and Street Trees.	100% of assessed tree value	Ordinance
San Francisco	Landmark Trees designated by Board of Supervisors for age, size, species rarity, location, or historical association.	Street trees and Significant Trees on private property within 10 feet of public right-of-way. Landmark Trees designated by Board of Supervisors.	1:1 minimum for street trees	Ordinance
San Jose	Heritage trees designated by City Council for size, age, species rarity, or historical significance.	Ordinance-size: single trunk 38+ inches circumference (~12.1 inches diameter) at 4.5 feet. Multi-trunk combined 38+ inches. On multifamily/commercial lots, ANY tree requires permit.	1:1 (one 15-gallon tree per permitted tree removed)	Ordinance
San Mateo	Significant Trees designated for exceptional size, age, species rarity, ecological value, or historical association under the San Mateo County Tree Ordinance; indigenous oak, madrone, and California buckeye receive automatic protection at the indigenous-tree threshold regardless of size.	All trees 12.1+ inches diameter at 4.5 feet. Indigenous trees (oak, madrone, buckeye) at lower threshold.	1:1 minimum for protected indigenous trees under the County Tree Ordinance; in-lieu fees to the County Tree Mitigation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible	Ordinance
Santa Barbara	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.	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.	1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Specimen/Historic and protected oaks	Ordinance
Santa Monica	Heritage and Specimen Trees designated by the City Council under Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 7.40 for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value; designation applies only to trees on public property within the City's jurisdiction.	Public trees only. No jurisdiction over private property trees. DSH measured at 4 feet 6 inches.	In-kind replacement for palms; replanting required	Ordinance
Stockton	Heritage Oak trees designated under Municipal Code Chapter 16.130.	Heritage Oak trees protected regardless of location or condition. Street trees require permit for removal or relocation.	3:1 for heritage trees, 1:1 for street trees	Ordinance
Sunnyvale	Heritage Trees designated by Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or community value; automatic designation for specific native species at any size.	Protected Tree: any tree with 38-inch circumference (~12 inches diameter) or greater at 4.5 feet; all oaks, redwoods, cedars, native bay, and native buckeye at any size; all street trees and trees on public property regardless of size.	1:1 minimum; 2:1 or higher for Heritage Trees and specimen natives	Ordinance
Torrance	Heritage Trees designated by City Council for exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, aesthetic significance, or community value.	All street trees, parkway trees, and trees on public property are protected regardless of size. Designated Heritage Trees on private property also protected.	1:1 minimum for street/parkway trees; 2:1 for Heritage Trees	Ordinance
Ventura	Trees with historical designation of any species.	Native trees 6+ inches DBH or 8+ inches combined for multi-trunk. Oaks/sycamores 9.5+ inches circumference. Any species 90+ inches circumference.	1:1 minimum for protected native tree removal under the Tree Protection Ordinance; 2:1 for trees with historical designation	Ordinance
West Hollywood	Significant Trees designated by Council or Urban Design and Preservation Commission for age, size, species rarity, historical association, or cultural significance.	Protected Tree: any tree 6+ inches DBH on private property, and all oak species regardless of size. All street trees and trees on public property are protected regardless of size.	2:1 for protected trees; higher ratios for heritage/significant trees at Commission discretion	Ordinance

How California heritage designations work

What's the most common DBH threshold for heritage designation in California?: Across 15 verified cities in California with a numeric DBH heritage threshold, the median is 17.5 inches DBH (range 5 inches DBH to 48 inches DBH). The remaining 30 verified cities use case-by-case council/commission designation based on age, historical association, or species rarity.
Do heritage trees require a special permit in California?: Yes — heritage trees in every verified California jurisdiction require a more rigorous removal review than standard protected trees. Heritage status overrides any DBH-based exemption, so even a smaller heritage tree typically requires a removal permit. Many ordinances also require public hearing or notice, mandate replacement at higher ratios (often 2:1 or 3:1 for heritage versus 1:1 for standard), and impose larger penalties for unpermitted removal. Confirm the exact procedure with each city's row below.
Which cities have the strictest heritage criteria in California?: The strictest published DBH triggers in California are Simi Valley (5 inches DBH), Folsom (6 inches DBH), Walnut Creek (9 inches DBH) — lower thresholds mean more trees automatically qualify for heritage protection. Cities without a numeric trigger rely on council designation case-by-case.

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