Protected trees and shrubs: Unauthorized removal may result in severe penalties
Click here to see the protected tree and shrub Ordinance No. 186873.
Information from the Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance:
A "protected tree" in Los Angeles is any of the following Southern California native tree species which measures 4 inches or more in cumulative diameter, 4 1/2 feet above the ground level at the base of the tree (DBH). See photos below:
(a) Oak tree including Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) and California Live Oak (Quercus agrifolía), or any other tree of the oak genus indigenous to California but excluding the Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa)
(b) Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica var. californica)
(c) Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
(d) California Bay (Umbellularia californica)
(e) Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) Added in December 2020
(f) Mexican Elderberry (Sambucus Mexicana) Added in December 2020
This definition shall not include any tree grown or held for sale by a licensed nursery, or trees planted or grown as a part of a tree-planting program.
No person shall relocate or remove any protected tree, without first having applied for and obtained a permit from the Board of Public Works, Urban Forest Division. Fees and replanting obligations apply if permit is approved. Penalty for removal is withholding of building permit for up to 10 years.
If you observe a protected tree(s) being cut down, please take pictures and contact the City of LA's Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA), Urban Forestry Division at (800) 996-2489 and email David Miranda (Chief Urban Forester) at David.Miranda@lacity.org right away.
For more information, see https://streetsla.lacity.org/urban-forestry-division
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Violations are not just confined to the removal of a protected tree, but also "any act that could lead to the death of a protected tree" -- for example, excessive pruning of the canopy/foliage; pouring or spilling toxins onto the soil; changing the grade (excavating or filling) within the root zone; etc.
IF YOU SUSPECT THAT PROTECTED TREES OR SHRUBS BEING REMOVED ON A PROPERTY PROPERTY, PLEASE REPORT IT BY FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW or VIA THE MYLA311 APPLICATION:
1. Go to https://lacity.gov/myla311
2. Select: Create Service Request
3. Select: Trees/Vegetation
4. On the same page, in the new column that now appears to the right, select "Street Tree Violations";
5. Click "Next" in the bottom right corner
6. Enter the Location and click "Verify Location";
7. In the box that now appears, enter additional information about where the subject trees are located, if necessary or useful. (Don't give violation details here -- a page is available at the end for that purpose. This box is just for additional helpful info on locating the property or the trees.)
8. On the right, enter your contact details, or leave it blank to submit it anonymously.
9. Click "Next" in the bottom right corner
10. Select "Illegal Tree Removal" as the type of Tree Violation from the drop-down menu.
11. Then, where it says "Describe the type of the street tree", select: "Private Property Protected Tree."
12. Click "Next" in the bottom right corner
13. The box at the top is where you can now add background information and explanations about the violation.
14. Attach photos, if you have them.
15. Click "Next" in the bottom right corner
16. A review page comes up that allows you to go back to previous pages and edit information entered on those pages.
17. If you're happy with the details you've entered, click "Submit" in the bottom right corner of the page.
18. A confirmation page appears.
19. A Service Request receipt number will appear. Copy it down or take a screenshot of it for future reference.
After you reported it, please email SR number and photos (if available) to:
- Bryan Ramirez at Bryan.Ramirez@lacity.org Street Tree Superintendent
- David Miranda at David.Miranda@lacity.org
- Elias Najar at elias.najar@lacity.org
- your City Council office
