Tree removal in Malibu: the local rules

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

What Malibu's code says

Malibu code What Malibu's code adds
Exemptions	Native trees destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster. Applies: Only if an arborist report, confirmed by the city biologist on site, finds the tree unlikely to survive long-term. § 5.8 · code text Native trees destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster. A damaged tree shall be exempt only if the general health of the tree is so poor that efforts to ensure its long-term health and survival are unlikely to be successful as determined by an arborist report and confirmed by the city biologist after a site inspection of the tree. Native trees that are an imminent safety hazard because they may fall. Applies: Only if a licensed arborist report, confirmed by the city biologist on site, finds the instability cannot be fixed. § 5.8 · code text Native trees that constitute an imminent public health and safety hazard due to the risk of falling where the structural instability cannot be remedied as determined by a licensed arborist's report and confirmed by the city biologist after a site inspection of the tree. Native trees planted for looks under an approved coastal development permit. Applies: Applies only if the planting was not required by the LCP or Coastal Act for mitigation or restoration. § 5.8 · code text Native trees that were planted for ornamental purposes as part of an approved coastal development permit where their planting was not required by the LCP or Coastal Act for mitigation or restoration.
Permit to remove	A coastal development permit, approved only with Planning Commission findings. Applies: Applies to removing native trees or building in their protected zone. § 5.7 · code text A coastal development permit that includes the removal of one or more native tree(s) and/or the encroachment of development within the protected zone of one or more native tree(s) may be approved or conditionally approved only if the planning commission makes the following supplemental findings in addition to the findings required in Section 14.9 of the Malibu LIP:
Protected trees	Oak, walnut, sycamore, alder and toyon trees. Applies: Native trees as listed in the Malibu Local Implementation Plan. § 5.4 · code text New development shall be sited and designed to preserve oak, walnut, sycamore, alder, and toyon, as identified by Section 5.2 of the Malibu LIP above, to the maximum extent feasible.
Replacement trees	Removal allowed only when no feasible alternative exists; mitigation is required. Applies: Applies to removing native trees covered by this chapter. § 5.4 · code text Removal of native trees subject to this chapter shall be prohibited except where no other feasible alternative exists. Mitigation shall be required for the removal of trees as described in section 5.5 of the Malibu LIP below.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Malibu requires a coastal development permit to remove native trees or build in their protected zone; removal needs no feasible alternative and mitigation.

Tree removal in Malibu

Key points

What Malibu's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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