Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Anaheim?

Anaheim's code: Yes. A City permit is required. (Destroying 1 or more Specimen Trees in the SC Overlay Zone, including cutting down, removing, trimming, topping or damaging pruning.) (§ 18.18.040); Replant on the same parcel or in the nearby public right-of-way, as the City directs. (Applies to Specimen Trees in the Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone removed under a City permit.) (§ 18.18.040).

Tree removal in Anaheim: the local rules

Anaheim code What Anaheim's code adds
Exemptions	Exempt: trees that have died. Applies: Specimen Trees in the Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone. An administrative removal permit with an arborist report is still needed before removal. § 18.18.040 · code text Trees that have died; Exempt: diseased trees that are a present danger to healthy trees nearby. Applies: Specimen Trees in the Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone. An administrative removal permit with an arborist report is still needed before removal. § 18.18.040 · code text Diseased trees whose condition is a source of present danger to healthy trees in the immediate vicinity; Trees weakened by age, disease, storm, fire, excavation, nearby tree removal or injury, causing imminent danger to people or property. Applies: Specimen Trees in the Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone. An administrative removal permit with an arborist report is still needed before removal. § 18.18.040 · code text Trees so weakened by age, disease, storm, fire, excavation, removal of adjacent trees, or any injury so as to cause imminent danger to persons or property; Exempt: trees in such health or condition that they are a present danger of falling on structures or utility lines. Applies: Specimen Trees in the Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone. An administrative removal permit with an arborist report is still needed before removal. § 18.18.040 · code text Trees whose general health and condition are a source of present danger of falling onto existing or proposed structures or utility lines; Exempt: trees that caused structural damage to a single-family home or its required driveway. Applies: SC Overlay Zone Specimen Trees. Needs an administrative removal permit and arborist report; arborist attests root removal threatens the tree or damage would continue. § 18.18.040 · code text Trees that have caused structural damage to a single-family residence or a required driveway for that residence; provided an arborist has attested that removal of the tree roots would threaten the health of the tree, or that the tree would be a source of continued damage to the structure; or Exempt: trees removed under a lawful Fire Department order. Applies: Specimen Trees in the Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone. An administrative removal permit with an arborist report is still needed before removal. § 18.18.040 · code text Trees removed pursuant to lawful order of the Fire Department. Exempt: Specimen Trees planted by the current or previous homeowner as part of an original landscape plan. Applies: SC Overlay Zone. The tree must not be visible from a public or private right-of-way or in a commonly viewed and maintained slope. § 18.18.040 · code text Specimen Trees planted by the current or previous homeowner as part of an original landscape plan, and are not located in an area visible from a public or private right-of-way and/or in a commonly viewed and maintained slope, are exempt from the requirements for a Specimen Tree Removal Permit.
Permit to remove	Yes. A City permit is required. Applies: Destroying 1 or more Specimen Trees in the SC Overlay Zone, including cutting down, removing, trimming, topping or damaging pruning. § 18.18.040 · code text it shall be unlawful for any person to destroy or otherwise direct or permit the destruction of one (1) or more Specimen Trees growing within the boundaries of the “SC” Overlay Zone, without a permit issued by the City of Anaheim Yes. The City Council must approve first. Applies: Applies to removing a landmark tree. § 11.12.020 · code text No landmark tree shall be removed without prior approval of the City Council,
Replacement trees	Replant on the same parcel or in the nearby public right-of-way, as the City directs. Applies: Applies to Specimen Trees in the Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone removed under a City permit. § 18.18.040 · code text Any Specimen Trees destroyed pursuant to a permit issued by the City shall be replaced on the same parcel, or in the public right-of-way located in the immediate vicinity, as directed by the City. At least 36-inch box size at planting. Applies: Applies to replacement trees for Specimen Trees in the Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone. § 18.18.040 · code text The replacement trees shall be a minimum thirty-six (36) inch box size at time of planting, 24-inch box size instead of the 36-inch box minimum. Applies: Replacement trees for SC Overlay Zone Specimen Trees, when the City Arborist approves it based on feasibility and site conditions. § 18.18.040 · code text unless the City Arborist approves a twenty-four (24) inch box size based on feasibility and site characteristics. 1 replacement tree for each tree destroyed. Applies: SC Overlay Zone Specimen Trees with a trunk circumference under 38 inches, measured 4 feet above ground. § 18.18.040 · code text Under 38 inches \| 1 2 replacement trees for each tree destroyed. Applies: SC Overlay Zone Specimen Trees with a trunk circumference of 38-64 inches, measured 4 feet above ground. § 18.18.040 · code text 38-64 inches \| 2 3 replacement trees for each tree destroyed. Applies: SC Overlay Zone Specimen Trees with a trunk circumference over 64 inches, measured 4 feet above ground. § 18.18.040 · code text Over 64 inches \| 3 A tree from the city's list of allowed replacement trees for private property (Table 18-B). Applies: Applies to Specimen Trees in the Santa Ana Canyon (SC) Overlay Zone on private property. § 18.18.040 · code text Specimen Trees on private property must be replaced with one of the Specimen Trees identified in Table 18-B (Allowable Replacement Trees: Private Properties). Plant more trees on the property. Applies: Applies to landmark tree removal when the City Council sets this as a condition. § 11.12.030 · code text Planting of additional trees on the property from which the landmark tree was taken; Plant new trees at a different location. Applies: Applies to landmark tree removal when the City Council sets this as a condition. § 11.12.030 · code text Planting of new trees at a location different from the property from which the landmark tree was removed;

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