Tree removal in Santa Paula: the local rules

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

What Santa Paula's code says

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
Exemptions	No replacement or payment when the city directs removal for a public street or safe line-of-sight distance. § 156.584 · code text The city has directed the applicant to remove so that a public street may be constructed along an alignment determined or approved by the City Engineer or adequate line-of-sight distance may be achieved in order to assure public safety No replacement or payment when the tree's poor health made removal necessary. § 156.584 · code text Removal was necessitated due to the poor health of the tree. Immediate removal may be allowed before project approval for disease, collapse danger, nearness to a structure or utility interference. Applies: Tree removal tied to an urban development proposal, when the Planning Director finds immediate removal required. § 156.584 · code text unless the Director of Planning, or his or her designee, determines that the immediate removal of the tree is required because of the condition of the tree with respect to disease, danger of collapse of all or any portion of the tree, proximity to an existing structure or interference with utility services.
Permit to remove	Yes. You need a permit. Applies: Native oaks, sycamores, heritage or historic trees on any property; other mature trees on public property, in urban development, or on any single parcel. § 156.584 · code text No native oak and sycamore tree, heritage or historic tree, where that tree is on public or private property, or any other mature tree on public property except as provided for in division (B) of this section, or is associated with a proposal for urban development, shall be removed, cut down or otherwise destroyed, unless a tree removal permit has been issued by the city.
Protected trees	Native oaks, sycamores, heritage or historic trees anywhere; other mature trees on public land, in urban development, or any parcel. § 156.584 · code text No native oak and sycamore tree, heritage or historic tree, where that tree is on public or private property, or any other mature tree on public property except as provided for in division (B) of this section, or is associated with a proposal for urban development, shall be removed, cut down or otherwise destroyed, unless a tree removal permit has been issued by the city.
Replacement trees	The Director may require replacement trees; spending on them may not exceed the removed trees' appraised value. Applies: Applies to removal not tied to an urban development proposal. § 156.584 · code text Where tree(s) are proposed for removal that are not associated with a proposal for urban development, the Director, or designee, may condition a tree removal permit upon the replacement of certain tree(s). Any applicant for a tree removal permit shall not be required to expend more on the replacement tree(s) than the appraised value of the tree(s) for which a permit is required. The appraised value must go toward larger tree plantings for the project. Applies: Applies to removal tied to an urban development proposal. § 156.584 · code text The resulting value shall be applied to upgrading the size of tree plantings associated with the project.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Santa Paula?

Santa Paula's code: Yes. You need a permit. (Native oaks, sycamores, heritage or historic trees on any property; other mature trees on public property, in urban development, or on any single parcel.) (§ 156.584); Native oaks, sycamores, heritage or historic trees anywhere; other mature trees on public land, in urban development, or any parcel. (§ 156.584).

Tree removal in Santa Paula

What Santa Paula's code says

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