The Tree Preservation Ordinance is the City's primary regulatory tool to provide for orderly protection of specified trees, to protect property values and to avoid significant negative impacts on adjacent properties. The Tree Preservation Ordinance outlines:
- Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) and Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) 11.5" diameter (36" circumference) or more when measured 54 inches above natural grade to definitions of protected tree.
- Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) 18" diameter (57" circumference) or more when measured 54 inches above natural grade to definitions of protected tree.
- Heritage Trees are individual trees on private property designated by the City Council with the consent of the property owner.
The ordinance requires certain information about existing trees to be submitted with applications for building and other permits:
- Site plans must show the trunk diameter and accurate dripline of oaks and redwoods.
- If there is disturbance within a protected tree dripline, an arborist's assessment and protection measures must be provided with the application.
Removal of the trees in the "protected trees" category would be prohibited unless one of the following circumstances exist:
- The tree is dead, hazardous, is a detriment to or crowding an adjacent protected tree, or constitutes a public nuisance under Section 8.04.050 (2).
- The tree trunk or basal flare is touching or within the existing building footprint or permitted building area if no structure exists (without variances) for single family home construction or expansion.
For projects other than single family residences, retention of the tree would reduce the otherwise allowed building area by more than 25%.
The City requires written permission to protected tree removal. Applications may be obtained at the Development Center, 285 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, 94301, (650) 617-3118 and will be responded to in about 10 working days unless an emergency.
Replacement of removed protected trees is required in most development circumstances.
Owners of protected trees are required to follow certain standards for maintenance and protection during construction activity:
- Pruning of more than 25% of the crown within one calendar year or unbalancing the tree is prohibited.
Under certain development circumstances, a single family homeowner may be allowed to deviate from setback or other development standards if necessary to protect a tree.
