Santa Monica Municipal Code Ch. 2.73 Urban Forest Commission

(a) Pursuant to Section 1000 of the Santa Monica City Charter, an Urban Forest Commission is hereby established. The Commission and members shall be subject to all of the terms of Article X of the Charter setting forth procedures for appointment of members, terms, and meetings.

(b) The Commission shall consist of seven members all of whom shall be residents of the City of Santa Monica. No member shall hold any paid office or employment in City of Santa Monica government. No less than three members shall have professional experience in urban forestry, landscaping, or horticulture.

(Added by Ord. No. 2858CCS, 5/26/2026)

The powers and duties of the Commission are as follows:

(a) Advise on Citywide compliance with the vision and guiding principles of the Urban Forest Master Plan, including, but not limited to, tree planting, tree removal requests, species designation changes, and updates to existing urban forestry standards.

(b) Advise on proposed tree planting activities in the City and public improvement projects.

(c) Advise on public tree species designations, including adjacent to designated landmarks and within historic districts in conjunction with the Landmarks Commission.

(d) Advise on the Heritage Tree Program.

(e) Advise on urban forest funding initiatives including urban forest grant funding opportunities.

(Added by Ord. No. 2858CCS, 5/26/2026)