Tree removal in Santa Clarita: the local rules

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

What Santa Clarita's code says

Santa Clarita code What Santa Clarita's code adds
Exemptions	Scrub oak is not on the protected oak tree list. Applies: Applies to properties with a single-family home. § 17.51.040 · code text In the case of properties occupied by a single-family residence, scrub oak (Quercus dumosa) shall be excluded from this list. Routine maintenance needs no oak tree permit: insect spraying, limited watering, fertilizing, deadwooding, ground aeration and pruning per the rules. § 17.51.040 · code text For the purposes of this code, routine maintenance shall include pruning pursuant to the requirements of this section.
Permit to remove	Yes. A permit is required. Applies: Any oak on public or private property in the City: cutting, pruning, removing, relocating, endangering, damaging or encroaching into its protected zone. § 17.51.040 · code text No person shall cut, prune, remove, relocate, endanger, damage or encroach into the protected zone of any oak tree on any public or private property within the City except in accordance with the
Protected trees	Any oak tree of the genus Quercus, including valley, California live, canyon, interior live and scrub oak, of any size. § 17.51.040 · code text "Oak tree" means any oak tree of the genus Quercus, including, but not limited to, valley oak (Quercus lobata), California live oak (Quercus agrifolia), canyon oak (Quercus chrysolepis), interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii) and scrub oak (Quercus dumosa), regardless of size. An oak tree 108 inches or more around. Applies: Heritage oak tree. Circumference measured 4 1/2 feet above natural grade. § 17.51.040 · code text means any oak tree measuring one hundred eight (108) inches or more in circumference 2 or more trunks, each 72 inches or more around. Applies: Multiple-trunk heritage oak tree. Circumference measured 4 1/2 feet above natural grade. § 17.51.040 · code text or, in the case of a multiple trunk oak tree, two (2) or more trunks measuring seventy-two (72) inches each or greater in circumference Any oak tree of any size, if the Commission or Council classifies it. Applies: When the Commission or Council finds the tree has exceptional historic, aesthetic or environmental value to the community. § 17.51.040 · code text the Commission and/or Council may classify any oak tree, regardless of size, as a heritage oak tree if it is determined by a majority vote thereof that such tree has exceptional historic, aesthetic and/or environmental qualities of major significance or prominence to the community.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Santa Clarita?

Santa Clarita's code: Yes. A permit is required. (Any oak on public or private property in the City: cutting, pruning, removing, relocating, endangering, damaging or encroaching into its protected zone.) (§ 17.51.040); Any oak tree of the genus Quercus, including valley, California live, canyon, interior live and scrub oak, of any size. (§ 17.51.040).

Tree removal in Santa Clarita

What Santa Clarita's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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