Tree removal in Brea: the local rules

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

What Brea's code says

Brea code What Brea's code adds
Exemptions	Maintenance such as pruning is exempt, as long as the tree is not destroyed. Applies: Maintenance of a protected tree. § 20.74.040 · code text Maintenance of a protected tree, such as pruning, as long as the tree is not destroyed. Immediate removal is allowed. Applies: Needed to protect life, property or emergency access, as found after inspection by the City Manager or designee, police or firefighters. § 20.74.040 · code text Cases where immediate destruction of a protected tree is required for the protection of human life, property, or emergency access, as determined by the City Manager or his/her designee, any police officer or any fire fighter, after inspection. Protected trees covered by an official Fuel Modification Plan and Maintenance Program or other defensible space rules are exempt. § 20.74.040 · code text Protected trees regulated by any official Fuel Modification Plan and Maintenance Program and other defensible space requirements. Protected trees on public utility easements are exempt when removal is needed to install or maintain utilities and public facilities. § 20.74.040 · code text Protected trees located on any portions of land under a recorded easement held by public utility, if the destruction of such protected trees is required for installation of utilities and public facilities, and maintenance of property to allow a public utility to fulfill its obligation to provide service to the public.
Penalty	The city may seek a civil penalty. Applies: Anyone who violates the tree rules or the conditions of a tree permit. § 20.74.070 · code text The city may bring a civil penalty against any person or entity that acts in violation of requirements of this section or conditions of a tree permit issued pursuant hereto.
Permit to remove	Yes, a city permit is required to remove a protected tree. Applies: Parcels with a commercial use (not home occupations), commercially zoned parcels, or project sites of 20,000 square feet or more. § 20.74.050 · code text It shall be unlawful for any person to destroy or otherwise direct or permit the destruction of any protected tree located on a parcel that contains any commercial use (excluding home occupations), a commercially zoned parcels, or a parcel or any combination of parcels within a project site that are equal or greater than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet without a permit issued by the city pursuant to the provisions of this section.
Replacement trees	At least 24-inch box size. Applies: Replacement trees at the time of planting. § 20.74.050 · code text The replacement trees shall be a minimum twenty-four (24) inch box size at time of planting. 2 replacement trees for each tree removed (2:1). Applies: Protected tree with a trunk diameter at breast height under 12 inches. § 20.74.050 · code text Less than 12 inches \| 2:1 3 replacement trees for each tree removed (3:1). Applies: Protected tree with a trunk diameter at breast height of 12 to 18 inches. § 20.74.050 · code text 12 to 18 inches \| 3:1 4 replacement trees for each tree removed (4:1). Applies: Protected tree with a trunk diameter at breast height of 18 to 24 inches. § 20.74.050 · code text 18 to 24 \| 4:1 5 replacement trees for each tree removed (5:1). Applies: Protected tree with a trunk diameter at breast height of 24 to 30 inches. § 20.74.050 · code text 24 to 30 \| 5:1 6 replacement trees for each tree removed (6:1). Applies: Protected tree with a trunk diameter at breast height of 30 to 36 inches. § 20.74.050 · code text 30 to 36 \| 6:1 7 replacement trees for each tree removed (7:1). Applies: Protected tree with a trunk diameter at breast height above 36 inches. § 20.74.050 · code text Above 36 \| 7:1 An in-lieu fee may be paid instead of planting. Applies: If approved, when a Certified Arborist finds the site cannot support the required number of healthy replacement trees. § 20.74.050 · code text If a Certified Arborist determines that the site where the replacement trees are required to be planted cannot accommodate the required number of replacement trees because the site characteristics would inhibit healthy growth of such replacement trees (e.g. overcrowding of new trees; interference with structures and/or roots and canopy of existing trees, etc.), the applicant may pay a fee, in lieu of providing the required number of replacement trees.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Brea?

Brea's code: Maintenance such as pruning is exempt, as long as the tree is not destroyed. (Maintenance of a protected tree.) (§ 20.74.040); Immediate removal is allowed. (Needed to protect life, property or emergency access, as found after inspection by the City Manager or designee, police or firefighters.) (§ 20.74.040).

Tree removal in Brea

What Brea's code says

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