Los Gatos · Building on your lot

Tree removal in Los Gatos

Developed residential: trunks 12 inches or more (18 multi-trunk) are protected; hillside lots and Blue Oak, Black Oak, Buckeye, Madrone from 8 inches.

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Key points

Protected trees: Developed residential: trunks 12 inches or more (18 multi-trunk) are protected; hillside lots and Blue Oak, Black Oak, Buckeye, Madrone from 8 inches.

Each rule below links to the section of the Los Gatos Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Los Gatos's code says

Los Gatos code What Los Gatos's code adds
Exemptions	No replacement condition if the tree is dead or has a Tree Risk Rating of Extreme or High. Applies: Protected tree removal permits. § 29.10.0985 · code text The Director or the deciding body may mpose, except when removal is permitted if the tree is dead or a Tree Risk Rating of Extreme or High is present, as a condition on which a protected tree removal permit is granted
Penalty	$500 per violation; for continuing violations, $500 the first day and $1,000 for each day after. Applies: Violating any part of the tree protection rules. § 29.10.1031 · code text Each violation is subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00). For continuing violations, the fee schedule is five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the first day and one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each subsequent day.
Protected trees	Trees with any trunk 12 inches or more in diameter, or multi-trunk trees totaling 18 inches or more. Applies: Developed residential property. § 29.10.0960 · code text All trees which have a twelve-inch or greater diameter (thirty-seven and one-half-inch circumference) of any trunk or in the case of multi-trunk trees, a total of eighteen inches or greater diameter (fifty-six and one-half-inch circumference) of the sum of all trunks, where such trees are located on developed residential property. Trees with any trunk 8 inches or more in diameter, or multi-trunk trees totaling 8 inches or more. Applies: Developed Hillside residential property. § 29.10.0960 · code text All trees which have an eight-inch or greater diameter (twenty-five-inch circumference) of any trunk or in the case of multi-trunk trees, a total of eight inches or greater diameter (twenty-five-inch circumference) of the sum of all trunks, where such trees are located on developed Hillside residential property. Blue Oak, Black Oak, California Buckeye and Pacific Madrone 8 inches or more in diameter. Applies: Developed residential property. § 29.10.0960 · code text All trees of the following species which have an eight-inch or greater diameter (twenty-five-inch circumference) located on developed residential property: Trees with any trunk 4 inches or more in diameter. Applies: When removal is part of a review that needs zoning or subdivision approval. § 29.10.0960 · code text All trees which have a four-inch or greater diameter (twelve and one half-inch circumference) of any trunk, when removal relates to any review for which zoning approval or subdivision approval is required. Trees the Town required planted or kept through development, building, subdivision or tree removal approvals, or code enforcement. Applies: All zones. § 29.10.0960 · code text Any tree that was required by the Town to be planted or retained by the terms and conditions of a development application, building permit or subdivision approval in all zoning districts, tree removal permit or code enforcement action. Trees with any trunk 4 inches or more in diameter. Applies: Property other than developed residential property. § 29.10.0960 · code text All trees, which have a four-inch or greater diameter (twelve and one half-inch circumference) of any trunk and are located on property other than developed residential property. Heritage trees and large protected trees. Applies: Pruning these trees also needs a pruning permit and public notice. § 29.10.0960 · code text The following trees shall also be considered protected trees and shall be subject to the pruning permit requirements set forth in section 29.10.0982 and the public noticing procedures set forth in section 20.10.0994:
Replacement trees	The Director may require 2 or more replacement trees of a species and size the Director chooses. Applies: Protected tree removal permits, except when removal is allowed because the tree is dead or has an Extreme or High Tree Risk Rating. § 29.10.0985 · code text The Director or the deciding body may mpose, except when removal is permitted if the tree is dead or a Tree Risk Rating of Extreme or High is present, as a condition on which a protected tree removal permit is granted that two (2) or more replacement trees of a species and a size designated by the Director or designee, shall be planted 2 trees in 24-inch boxes. Applies: Removed tree canopy of 10 feet or less; general replacement standard. § 29.10.0985 · code text 10 feet or less \| Two 24-inch box trees \| Two 15-gallon trees 2 trees in 15-gallon containers. Applies: Developed single-family lots under 10,000 square feet, not under Hillside standards; removed tree canopy of 10 feet or less. § 29.10.0985 · code text 10 feet or less \| Two 24-inch box trees \| Two 15-gallon trees 3 trees in 24-inch boxes. Applies: Removed tree canopy over 10 feet up to 25 feet; general replacement standard. § 29.10.0985 · code text More than 10 feet to 25 feet \| Three 24-inch box trees \| Three 15-gallon trees 3 trees in 15-gallon containers. Applies: Developed single-family lots under 10,000 square feet, not under Hillside standards; removed tree canopy over 10 feet up to 25 feet. § 29.10.0985 · code text More than 10 feet to 25 feet \| Three 24-inch box trees \| Three 15-gallon trees 4 trees in 24-inch boxes, or 2 trees in 36-inch boxes. Applies: Removed tree canopy over 25 feet up to 40 feet; general replacement standard. § 29.10.0985 · code text More than 25 feet to 40 feet \| Four 24-inch box trees; or Two 36-inch box trees \| Four 15-gallon trees 4 trees in 15-gallon containers. Applies: Developed single-family lots under 10,000 square feet, not under Hillside standards; removed tree canopy over 25 feet up to 40 feet. § 29.10.0985 · code text More than 25 feet to 40 feet \| Four 24-inch box trees; or Two 36-inch box trees \| Four 15-gallon trees 6 trees in 24-inch boxes, or 3 trees in 36-inch boxes. Applies: Removed tree canopy over 40 feet up to 55 feet; general replacement standard. § 29.10.0985 · code text More than 40 feet to 55 feet \| Six 24-inch box trees; or Three 36-inch box trees \| Not Available 10 trees in 24-inch boxes, or 5 trees in 36-inch boxes. Applies: Removed tree canopy over 55 feet; general replacement standard. § 29.10.0985 · code text Greater than 55 feet \| Ten 24-inch box trees; or Five 36-inch box trees \| Not Available Pay an in-lieu fee to the Town Tree Replacement Fund. Applies: When replacement trees cannot reasonably be planted on the property. § 29.10.0985 · code text If a tree or trees cannot be reasonably planted on the subject property, an in-lieu payment in an amount set forth by the Town Council by resolution shall be paid to the Town Tree Replacement Fund

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Los Gatos?

Developed residential: trunks 12 inches or more (18 multi-trunk) are protected; hillside lots and Blue Oak, Black Oak, Buckeye, Madrone from 8 inches.

General information, not legal advice.

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