Tree removal in Westlake Village: the local rules

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

What Westlake Village's code says

Westlake Village code What Westlake Village's code adds
Exemptions	Not exempt, but the Director may approve the permit administratively without a public hearing. Applies: Pruning live branches over 4 inches across, when a qualified arborist finds it will not harm the tree's health. § 9.21.060 · code text If proposed trimming or pruning of a protected tree consists of cutting live branches over four (4) inches in diameter but the proposed cuts will not adversely impact the health of the tree, as determined by a qualified arborist, the Director may approve such a request administratively without a public hearing. Not exempt, but the Director may approve the permit administratively without a public hearing. Applies: Work in the protected zone that a qualified arborist finds will not harm the tree's health. § 9.21.060 · code text Additionally, if a proposed encroachment into the protected zone of a tree will not adversely impact the health of the tree, as determined by a qualified arborist, the Director may approve such a request administratively without a public hearing.
Permit to remove	Yes, a protected tree permit approved by the City Council. Applies: Any protected tree on any lot in the City, except as the code otherwise provides. § 9.21.050 · code text Except as otherwise provided in Sections 9.21.040 and 9.21.060, no person shall alter, destroy, disfigure, remove, relocate, or otherwise damage on any protected tree on any lot or parcel of land within the City, unless a protected tree permit is approved by the City Council in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
Replacement trees	On-site replacement trees may be required. Applies: If the City Council finds it appropriate for a removed protected tree. § 9.21.090 · code text On-site replacement of a removed protected tree may be required, if deemed appropriate by the City Council, with trees of a suitable type, size, number, and at an appropriate location. Generally at least a 24-inch box, at 1 to 4 new trees per protected tree removed. Applies: Guidance when the City Council requires on-site replacement. § 9.21.090 · code text In general, replacement trees should be at least a twenty-four (24) inch box, or larger, and should be placed at an appropriate ratio of one (1) to four (4) new trees for each protected tree removed. Off-site replacement may be required. Applies: When on-site replacement is not feasible and the City Council finds mitigation appropriate. § 9.21.090 · code text If on-site replacement of a removed protected tree cannot feasibly be provided, and the City Council determines that mitigation is appropriate, off-site replacement may be required.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Westlake Village?

Westlake Village's code: Yes, a protected tree permit approved by the City Council. (Any protected tree on any lot in the City, except as the code otherwise provides.) (§ 9.21.050); On-site replacement trees may be required. (If the City Council finds it appropriate for a removed protected tree.) (§ 9.21.090).

Tree removal in Westlake Village

What Westlake Village's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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