Tree removal in Monterey County: the local rules

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

What Monterey County's code says

Monterey County code What Monterey County's code adds
Exemptions	Permit-free oak removal: rangeland improvement, wildlife habitat, watershed enhancement, hazardous trees, or firewood for owners and on-site residents. Applies: Farmlands, Rural or Permanent Grazing land outside North County, Toro, Cachagua and Carmel Valley plan areas; at least 25% oak canopy per acre must remain. § 16.60.050 · code text Oak tree removal is allowed without a permit for any of the following reasons: Emergency removal or hazard reduction allowed without other rules; report to the Director of Planning within 10 working days. Applies: A hazardous tree needing immediate action for the safety of life or property. § 16.60.040 · code text In the case of emergency caused by hazardous or dangerous condition of a tree and requiring immediate action for the safety of life or property, such necessary action may be taken to remove the tree or otherwise reduce or eliminate the hazard without complying with the other provisions of this Section, except that the person responsible for cutting or removal of the tree(s) shall report such action to the Director of Planning within ten (10) working days thereafter.
Permit to remove	Yes; Director may approve up to 3 per lot per year; more need Forest Management Plan and Use Permit. Applies: Protected trees in the unincorporated county outside the Coastal Zone. § 21.64.260 · code text No person shall do, cause, permit, aid, abet, suffer or furnish equipment or labor to remove, cut down or trim more than one-third of the green foliage of, poison or otherwise kill or destroy any tree as specified in this Section until a tree removal permit for the project has first been obtained.
Protected trees	Oak or madrone trees 6 inches or more in diameter, measured 2 feet above ground. Applies: North County or Toro Area Plan areas. § 16.60.030 · code text No oak or madrone tree six inches or more in diameter two feet above ground level shall be removed in the North County Area Plan or Toro Area Plan areas without approval of the permit(s) required in Section 16.60.040 of this Chapter. Oak, madrone or redwood trees 6 inches or more in diameter, measured 2 feet above ground. Applies: Carmel Valley Master Plan area. § 16.60.030 · code text No oak, madrone or redwood tree six inches or more in diameter two feet above ground level shall be removed in the Carmel Valley Master Plan area without approval of the permit(s) required in Section 16.60.040 of this Chapter. Native trees 6 inches or more in diameter, measured 2 feet above ground. Applies: Cachagua Area Plan; listed natives are Santa Lucia fir, cottonwoods, box elder, willows, California laurel, sycamores, oaks and madrones. § 16.60.030 · code text No native tree six inches or more in diameter two feet above ground level shall be removed in the Cachagua Area Plan area without approval of the permit(s) required in Section 16.60.040 of this Chapter. Oak trees. Applies: Other areas planned as Resource Conservation, Residential, Commercial or Industrial, except Industrial Mineral Extraction. § 16.60.030 · code text No oak tree may be removed in any other area of the County of Monterey designated in the applicable area plan as Resource Conservation, Residential, Commercial or Industrial (except Industrial, Mineral Extraction) without approval of the permit(s) required in Section 16.60.040 of this Chapter. Oaks at least 24 inches in diameter at 2 feet up, or visually or historically significant, or exemplary of species. Applies: Landmark oak trees, in any area. § 21.64.260 · code text Landmark oak trees are those trees which are twenty-four (24) inches or more in diameter when measured two feet above the ground, or trees which are visually significant, historically significant, or exemplary of their species.
Replacement trees	Relocate or replace each removed protected tree at a 1-to-1 ratio. Applies: Any permit to remove protected trees. § 21.64.260 · code text the applicant shall be required to relocate or replace each removed protected tree on a one-to-one ratio. The 1-to-1 rule may be changed. Applies: If it causes special hardship for site use or would harm the long-term health of remaining habitat. § 21.64.260 · code text This requirement may be varied upon a showing that such a requirement will create a special hardship in the use of the site or such replacement would be detrimental to the long-term health and maintenance of the remaining habitat.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Monterey County?

Monterey County's code: Permit-free oak removal: rangeland improvement, wildlife habitat, watershed enhancement, hazardous trees, or firewood for owners and on-site residents. (Farmlands, Rural or Permanent Grazing land outside North County, Toro, Cachagua and Carmel Valley plan areas; at least 25% oak canopy per acre must remain.) (§ 16.60.050); Emergency removal or hazard reduction allowed without other rules; report to the Director of Planning within 10 working days. (A hazardous tree needing immediate action for the safety of life or property.) (§ 16.60.040).

Tree removal in Monterey County

What Monterey County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Monterey County property

More on building on your lot in Monterey County