Tree removal in Santa Clara County

it shall be unlawful for any person to remove any protected tree on any private or public property in designated areas of the County without having first obtained an administrative permit

Removal of any tree, regardless of size, located within a County road right-of-way shall require an encroachment permit from the Department of Roads and Airports not less than 60 days prior to planned removal.

In the case of heritage trees, such application must be made not less than 90 days prior to the date of the planned removal, following the hearing procedures set forth in Section C16-12 and Section C16-13 below.

(a) Matter of right. Except for parcels within the "-h1, New Almaden Historic Preservation zoning district," the following provisions shall apply: Parcels greater than three acres: Tree removal provided the yield is not more than ten percent of trees over 37.7 inches circumference (12 inches or more in diameter) measured 4.5 feet above the ground per year on any parcel, together with contiguous parcels under the same ownership.

Any tree having a main trunk or stem measuring 37.7 inches or greater in circumference (12 inches or more in diameter) at a height of 4½ feet above ground level, or in the case of multi-trunk trees a total of 75.4 inches in circumference (24 inches or more of the diameter) of all trunks in the following areas of the County:

Any tree within the "-h1" Historic Preservation zoning district for New Almaden having a main trunk or stem measuring six inches or more in diameter (18.8 inches or greater in circumference) at a height of 4.5 feet above ground level, or in the case of multi-trunk trees, a total of 12 inches in diameter (37.7 inches in circumference) of all trunks at 4.5 feet above ground.

Any heritage tree, as that term is defined in Section C16-2.

Any tree required to be planted as a replacement for an unlawfully removed tree, pursuant to Section C16-17(e) of this division.

Any tree that was required to be planted or retained by the conditions of approval for any use permit, building site approval, grading permit, architectural and site approval (ASA), design review, special permit or subdivision.

Any tree, regardless of size, within road rights-of-way and easements of the County, whether within or without the unincorporated territory of the County.

A replanting and/or re-vegetation plan for all trees to be removed. Replacement trees shall be of a like kind and species of tree removed, if native and feasible, or of a kind and species to be determined by the Planning Department. The location of the replacement tree(s) need not be in the same location of the tree removed. Replacement tree planting shall utilize at least five-gallon size stock. The ratio of trees removed to trees planted shall be determined by the Planning Department.