Tree replacement requirements in California

Mitigation obligations across 45 verified California cities, ranked ascending by replacement ratio. Numbers come directly from each city's published ordinance — heritage and specimen trees typically carry higher ratios than standard protected trees.

Lowest ratio

1:1

San Jose

Median ratio

1:1

across 41 verified cities

Highest ratio

3:1

Stockton

Replacement obligation comparison

Sorted ascending by minimum n:1 ratio. Cities with text-only or retention-percentage rules appear last. Click a city for the full ordinance page or the ordinance link for the underlying municipal code.

Tree replacement obligations by city, sorted ascending by replacement ratio. Includes ordinance details, in-lieu fee per tree, processing time, and a link to the municipal code.
City Replacement ratio Replacement details In-lieu fee/tree Processing Code
San Jose 1:1

1:1 (one 15-gallon tree per permitted tree removed)

 One 15-gallon replacement tree per removal on residential projects. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Sacramento 1:1

1:1 based on DBH of tree removed

 Replacement plan specifying location, monitoring, and maintenance. — 3-6 weeks Ordinance
Hayward 1:1

1:1 for protected trees; 2:1 for heritage trees; caliper-inch mitigation option for large trees

 15-gallon minimum for 1:1 replacement; 24-inch box minimum for heritage tree replacement. In-lieu fees to the Tree Mitigation Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-8 weeks Ordinance
Saratoga 1:1

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

 15-gallon to 24-inch box replacement trees from the approved native species list emphasizing oaks and hillside-adapted species; tree appraisal valuation deposit to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — — Ordinance
Dublin 1:1

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

 15-gallon to 24-inch box replacement trees from the approved native species list; heritage tree replacements emphasize oak and California buckeye to maintain canopy continuity at the protected-species threshold. — — Ordinance
Mountain View 1:1

1:1 minimum for heritage tree removal under MVMC Chapter 32; 24-inch box replacement from the approved species list

 24-inch box minimum replacement trees from the approved Mountain View species list emphasizing oak, redwood, and cedar species to match removed heritage trees; in-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — — Ordinance
Santa Cruz 1:1

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. — 3-6 weeks Ordinance
Pleasanton 1:1

1:1 minimum for heritage tree removal; 24-inch box replacement minimum from approved species list

 24-inch box replacement trees from the approved Pleasanton native and adapted species list; in-lieu fees to the Heritage Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — — —
Glendale 1:1

1:1 minimum for indigenous tree removal under GMC 12.44; replacement species drawn from the approved Glendale native species list

 24-inch box minimum replacement indigenous trees (California Live Oak, Valley Oak, California Black Walnut, Western Sycamore, California Bay) from the approved native species list; in-lieu fees to the Indigenous Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 3-6 weeks Ordinance
Long Beach 1:1

1:1 minimum for parkway trees; enhanced ratios for Heritage trees at Commission discretion

 Replacement species from approved Parkway Tree List; 15-gallon minimum container size; in-lieu fees to the city tree planting fund when on-site replacement is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Oakland 1:1

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

 Coast live oak replacements drawn from the approved native species list at 15-gallon to 24-inch box minimum sizing as set by city arborist condition; in-lieu fees to the Tree Replacement Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 2-4 weeks Ordinance
San Mateo 1:1

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

 15-gallon to 24-inch box replacement trees from the approved indigenous species list (Coast Live Oak, Madrone, California Buckeye); county arborist sets specific sizing as a permit condition based on the removed tree's diameter. — 4-8 weeks Ordinance
Ventura 1:1

1:1 minimum for protected native tree removal under the Tree Protection Ordinance; 2:1 for trees with historical designation

 15-gallon minimum replacement trees from the approved native species list emphasizing oak and California sycamore; in-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — — Ordinance
Beverly Hills 1:1

1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under BHMC Article 29; higher ratios for landmark and heritage native designations at Council discretion

 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. — — Ordinance
San Luis Obispo 1:1

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

 15-gallon to 24-inch box replacement trees from the approved native and adapted species list; Heritage Oak replacements emphasize Coast Live Oak and Valley Oak to maintain native canopy. In-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — — Ordinance
Walnut Creek 1:1

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

 15-gallon to 24-inch box replacement trees from the approved Walnut Creek native species list; in-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — — Ordinance
Folsom 1:1

1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under the Folsom Tree Preservation Ordinance; 24-inch box replacement from approved species list

 24-inch box minimum replacement trees from the approved Folsom native and adapted species list; in-lieu deposits to the Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — — Ordinance
Redwood City 1:1

1:1 minimum for protected tree removal under the Tree Preservation Ordinance; in-lieu fees accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible

 15-gallon to 24-inch box replacement trees from the approved native and adapted species list; in-lieu deposits to the Tree Preservation Fund set per the city's adopted fee schedule by removed-tree diameter. — — Ordinance
San Francisco 1:1

1:1 minimum for street trees

 Street tree replacements drawn from the SF Public Works approved street tree list at 15-gallon minimum container size; in-lieu fees to the Bureau of Urban Forestry tree planting fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Carlsbad 1:1

1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Heritage Trees and protected natives

 Replacement from approved species list in the Landscape Manual; 15-gallon or 24-inch box minimum. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Claremont 1:1

1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Heritage Trees and protected natives

 Replacement from approved Master Street Tree List; 15-gallon or 24-inch box minimum. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-8 weeks Ordinance
Davis 1:1

1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark Trees and heritage native oaks

 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. — 3-6 weeks Ordinance
Burbank 1:1

1:1 minimum for street trees; 2:1 or higher for Landmark/Heritage trees

 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. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Santa Barbara 1:1

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. — 4-8 weeks Ordinance
Torrance 1:1

1:1 minimum for street/parkway trees; 2:1 for Heritage Trees

 15-gallon minimum replacement trees from approved Parkway Tree List. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Anaheim 1:1

1:1 minimum for street/parkway trees; development mitigation per approved landscape plan

 Replacement from approved Street Tree List; 15-gallon or 24-inch box minimum depending on location. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Concord 1:1

1:1 minimum; 2:1 for heritage trees or native oaks

 15-gallon minimum replacement from approved native species list. In-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Santa Clara 1:1

1:1 minimum; 2:1 inch-for-inch for heritage-size specimens

 15-gallon or 24-inch box replacement from approved species list. In-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Sunnyvale 1:1

1:1 minimum; 2:1 or higher for Heritage Trees and specimen natives

 15-gallon or 24-inch box replacement from approved species list. In-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Campbell 1:1

1:1 minimum; 2:1 or higher for Heritage/Significant Trees

 15-gallon or 24-inch box replacement from approved species list. In-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Irvine 1:1

1:1 minimum; windrow trees replaced in-kind per approved landscape plan

 Replacement trees must match the approved landscape palette. 15-gallon or 24-inch box minimum depending on location. — 2-3 weeks Ordinance
Cupertino 1:1

1:1 to 3:1 depending on tree size and significance; inch-for-inch mitigation for Heritage Trees

 Replacement from approved species list, 15-gallon or 24-inch box minimum. In-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-6 weeks Ordinance
Thousand Oaks 2:1

2:1 for oaks; 10:1 or inch-for-inch mitigation for Heritage Oaks

 Replacement oaks grown from locally-collected acorns where feasible; 15-gallon minimum. In-lieu fees of approximately $500 per inch DBH to the Oak Tree Preservation Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 6-10 weeks Ordinance
Los Angeles 2:1

2:1 for protected trees (varies by size)

 Minimum 15-gallon container size. In-lieu fees to Tree Planting Fund when on-site not feasible. — 6-8 weeks Ordinance
West Hollywood 2:1

2:1 for protected trees; higher ratios for heritage/significant trees at Commission discretion

 24-inch box minimum replacement trees. In-lieu fees to the Urban Forestry Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-8 weeks Ordinance
Los Gatos 2:1

2:1 inch-for-inch for native trees; 1:1 for non-native protected trees; higher ratios for Heritage Trees

 Replacement trees 24-inch box minimum. In-lieu fees to the Tree Replacement Fund ($495 per inch DBH for on-site replacement infeasibility). — 4-8 weeks Ordinance
Menlo Park 2:1

2:1 minimum for heritage tree removal (by inch or by count per Arborist determination)

 15-gallon minimum replacement trees from approved species list. In-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 3-6 weeks Ordinance
Simi Valley 2:1

2:1 minimum for mature tree removal under the Mature Tree Preservation Ordinance; in-lieu fees accepted at Tree Advisory Board discretion

 15-gallon to 24-inch box replacement trees from the approved native and adapted species list; in-lieu deposits to the Mature Tree Preservation Fund set as a permit condition by the Tree Advisory Board. — — Ordinance
Pasadena 2:1

2:1 minimum for protected trees; higher ratios (3:1+) for landmark and native specimen trees at Council discretion

 24-inch box minimum replacement trees from the approved Pasadena native and adapted species list; in-lieu fees to the Pasadena Tree Preservation Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-8 weeks Ordinance
Stockton 3:1

3:1 for heritage trees, 1:1 for street trees

 Heritage trees replaced 3:1 at Director discretion. Street trees replaced 1:1, minimum 15-gallon container. — 2-4 weeks (10-day public notice period for heritage trees) Ordinance
Riverside 3:1

3:1 for native oaks under county ordinance; 2:1 for city Heritage Trees; 1:1 for street trees

 Replacement oaks must be grown from locally-sourced acorns where feasible; 15-gallon minimum. In-lieu fees accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 6-12 weeks Ordinance
San Diego 100% of assessed tree value Applicant pays 100% assessed value. 300% assessed value fine for unauthorized removal. — 6-12 weeks Ordinance
Santa Monica In-kind replacement for palms; replanting required Palm species replaced in-kind at maturing height match where feasible; non-palm protected public trees replaced from the approved street tree list at 15-gallon minimum container size; in-lieu fees to the Urban Forest Renewal Fund accepted when on-site replanting is infeasible. — — Ordinance
Elk Grove Inch-for-inch replacement up to a cap; 3:1 count-based for heritage native oaks On-site replacement with 15-gallon or 24-inch box trees from approved native species list. In-lieu fees to the Tree Preservation Fund ($300-$750 per inch DSH removed) when on-site replanting is infeasible. — 4-8 weeks Ordinance
Palo Alto Per Table 3-1 in Technical Manual Section 3.02 All trees 4+ inches DBH subject to replacement. In-lieu fees per 24-inch box tree. — 4-8 weeks Ordinance

How California replacement obligations work

Which city requires the highest replacement ratio in California?
Stockton, California carries the highest verified replacement ratio in California at 3:1 (per its ordinance: "3:1 for heritage trees, 1:1 for street trees"). Across 41 verified cities with numeric ratios, the median is 1:1 and the lowest is 1:1.
What's the typical replacement obligation when a tree is removed?
Most cities in California require 1:1 replacement at minimum, with heritage or specimen trees typically carrying enhanced ratios (often 2:1 or 3:1). Median replacement ratio across 41 verified cities is 1:1. Many ordinances also accept an in-lieu fee per tree when on-site replanting isn't feasible.
Can I pay an in-lieu fee instead of replanting trees in California?
Most cities in California accept in-lieu mitigation deposits to a tree planting fund when on-site replanting isn't feasible, but the per-tree dollar amount isn't published as a flat fee — it's calculated case-by-case (often based on caliper inches or assessed value). Verify with the municipal forester.

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