Santa Monica Tree Permits: A Homeowner's Guide

Do you need a permit to trim or remove a tree in Santa Monica? It depends on who owns the tree. Street and parkway trees belong to the city, and pruning, planting or removing one goes through the city. Trees on your own lot are a different story. Here is how the rules work, what the fines are, and how to appeal a city decision.

Who Owns the Tree?

Santa Monica looks after more than 35,000 public trees across over 250 species. Most are the street and parkway trees between the sidewalk and the curb. If the tree is in the parkway or on city land, it is a public tree and the city's rules below apply. If it stands on your side of the property line, it is yours.

The city says it does not have jurisdiction over trees on private property, and asks owners to check with county and state agencies before removing one. One exception to know about: when a whole property is designated a city Landmark, all its existing trees are part of that designation and must be protected.

For trees on your own lot, see tree trimming and pruning and tree removal. Just outside Santa Monica, Los Angeles rules apply instead, including protected native trees on private property: see Brentwood and Venice.

What Needs a Permit

Street and parkway trees belong to the city, so work on them follows the city's Tree Code:

• Pruning or planting: a public works permit is required to prune or plant a public tree, and the permit must be on site while the work is done.
• Who can do it: pruning must be done by a licensed tree trimmer, and a public property permit for tree trimming requires proof of insurance.
• What to plant: a new street tree must be a species the city's Urban Forest Master Plan lists for that street. Our service areas page lists the designated trees for several Santa Monica streets.
• How to prune: the city calls topping one of the worst pruning practices, and warns against lion's-tailing too.

Getting a City Tree Removed

Removal requests go through the city's 311 system. The city may remove a public tree when it is dead, dying from old age, has a disease that can't be treated, is a hazard according to a risk assessment, needs root pruning severe enough to make it unstable, or is in the way of an approved public project.

Trees scheduled for removal are posted online at least 14 working days ahead.

How to Appeal a City Decision

You can appeal a decision to remove a public tree, and also a decision not to remove one:

1. File in time: appeal within the 14-working-day notice period, using the city's online appeal form.
2. Review: the city's Urban Forest Commission reviews the appeal at a public meeting and makes a recommendation.
3. Decision: the Director of Public Works makes the final decision.

Fines for Skipping the Permit

The city's published fine schedule lists:

If you are unsure whether a tree is public, ask the city before anyone cuts.

Building or Remodeling Near a Street Tree

• Fence first: demolition or construction near a city tree needs a Tree Protection Zone fence, 6-foot chain link, installed before the demolition or building permit is released and kept up for the whole project.
• Clearance pruning: pruning a public tree for construction clearance needs the Public Landscape Division's approval.
• Removal for construction: often not permitted, and approved removals carry restitution.
• Damage: contractors are charged restitution for public trees injured or removed without authorization, and final sign-off waits until it is paid.
• Sewer repairs: cutting street-tree roots to repair a sewer line must be done under the Public Landscape Division's direction.

Who to Call