Tree Permits and the Tree Protection Ordinance
Trees contribute significantly to the County’s unique aesthetic, biological, cultural, and historical environment. Trees also absorb carbon dioxide, provide shade, and reduce stormwater runoff. They reduce energy use, mitigate climate change, and improve water quality. In 1992, Ventura County adopted the Ventura County Tree Protection Ordinance. The ordinance applies to the pruning (beyond specified limits), removal, trenching, excavation, or other encroachment into the protected zone (5 feet outside the canopy’s edge and a minimum of 15 feet from the trunk) of protected trees in unincorporated areas (land outside of cities).
Alterations or removal of protected trees are subject to permits as defined in the Ventura County Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) and the Ventura County Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance (NCZO). In the non-coastal zone, protected trees include all oaks and sycamores 9.5 inches in circumference or larger (measured at least 4.5 feet above ground), trees of any species with a historical designation, trees of any species 90 inches in circumference or larger, and most 9.5-inch in circumference or larger native trees that are located in the Scenic Resources Protection Zone. In the coastal zone, protected trees include trees that are considered Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas, native trees, historic trees, and heritage trees. A permit is required even to alter a non-native tree or a non-native invasive tree species that is located in the coastal zone.
Before any protected tree is trimmed, removed, or encroached upon, property owners should contact the Planning Division to ensure these activities are conducted in compliance with the Tree Protection Ordinance. A permit is required for many of these activities. The forms and information below provide more information.
Tree Permits General Information
- Submittal Requirements for Tree Permits and Authorizations in the Non-Coastal Zone
(Tree Doc A) - Submittal Requirements for Tree Permits and Authorizations in the Coastal Zone
(Tree Doc CZ-A)
One of the handouts above should be your starting point, depending on if the tree is located in the non-coastal zone or the coastal zone. If your proposed project is in the coastal zone, start by reading Tree Doc CZ-A. If your proposed project is in the non-coastal zone, start by reading Tree Doc A. To determine whether the tree is in the coastal zone, go to the County’s “What’s My Zoning?” page (click here). The Submittal Requirements summarize the tree protection requirements and procedures and clarifies what type of documentation must be submitted with the different types of tree-related requests. If you have questions on any of the items below, refer back to these documents.
This document further clarifies tree protection requirements and procedures.
Ministerial Tree Permit Application
- Non-Coastal Zone Ministerial Tree Permit Application (Tree Doc M)
- Coastal Zone Ministerial Tree Permit Application (Tree Doc CZ-M)
This document includes an application and instructions for ministerial tree permits. Ministerial tree permit applications for proposed projects in the non-coastal zone should use Tree Doc M. Ministerial tree permit applications for proposed projects in the coastal zone should use Tree Doc CZ-M.
- Performance Standards for Ministerial Tree Permits (Tree Doc M-PS)
When ministerial tree permits are issued, it is with the understanding that certain performance standards will be adhered to, and these standards are attached to the permit. These performance standards cover tree protection fencing, tree protection zone restrictions, and required tree pruning methods. Verification that tree protection measures described in the Performance Standards were present throughout the time of construction may be requested by the Planning Division.
Arborist Verification Forms and Reports
For ministerial tree permits and tree authorization letters, only targeted information must be provided from an arborist. These “arborist verifications” must be submitted on the County’s Arborist Verification forms. There are five categories of arborist verification, which include:
- Arborist Verification of Dead Tree (Tree Form M1)
Used to confirm that a tree is dead, and if the death was not from natural causes, provides information on why the tree died.
- Arborist Verification of Major Pruning for Tree Health (Tree Form M2)
Used to confirm that any proposed major pruning is for the health or stability of the tree. Major pruning involves pruning limbs or roots that are greater than 20 percent of the tree’s girth or pruning that overall will amount to more than 20 percent of the trees canopy or root system.
- Arborist Verification of Hazardous or Conflicting Tree (Tree Form M3)
Used to confirm a tree’s hazardous condition or that the tree is conflicting with existing structures or trees.
- Arborist Verification of Tree Status (Tree Form M4)
Used to confirm various site conditions, such as that tree removal or pruning is justified to allow reasonable access to a property or reasonable use of a property.
- Arborist Verification of Tree Protection Measures (Tree Form M5)
Used to confirm that tree protection measures, such as fencing, are in place. Written or photographic verification that tree protection measures were in place throughout the time of construction may be requested by the Planning Division.
- Content Requirements for Arborist Reports (Tree Doc D-AR)
Comprehensive arborist reports are only required for discretionary tree permits. This document outlines the specific information required in arborist reports submitted to the County. The purpose is to ensure that the Planning Division receives the specific information needed to make a decision about a given request, that the information is clear and easily found in the report, and that the applicant and arborist understand what is required versus optional information. Arborist reports that do not substantially adhere to these guidelines will be rejected as inadequate.
- Content Requirements for Tree Protection Plans (Tree Doc D-TPP)
If a protected tree requires protection during construction (on discretionary permits), or if a project is proposed that would fell or transplant protected trees, then an arborist-prepared Tree Protection Plan must be submitted to address the protection of remaining trees or to institute tree offsets/mitigation. This document outlines the specific information required in these plans in the non-coastal zone. Tree Protection Plans are important documents that are intended to encapsulate most of the required construction protection measures, mitigation, offsets, and ongoing monitoring that may be involved with a project. Tree Protection Plans that do not substantially adhere to these requirements will be rejected as inadequate. In the coastal zone, a Tree Protection, Planting, and Monitoring Plan is required if a protected tree is proposed for removal, relocation, alteration, or encroachment, and replacement trees will be required. For more information on coastal zone requirements, see CZO Sec. 8178-7.7.4d.
Reference Documents
- Section 8107-25 of the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance (Tree Protection Ordinance)
- Section 8178-7 of the Coastal Zoning Ordinance (Tree Protection Regulations)
Note- The actual language of the Tree Protection Ordinance is found in the CZO and the NCZO.
The County also adopted Tree Protection Guidelines, which supplement the NCZO and further explain and amplify the ordinance requirements. Included are approval standards for both ministerial and discretionary tree permits, methods for how the value of a tree may be determined, and mitigation measures for removed trees. The Tree Protection Guidelines do not apply to the coastal zone; rather, the CZO includes all the necessary information for tree permit requirements (CZO Sec. 8178-7).
This is a list of tree trimmers who have pledged that they have read and understand Ventura County’s Tree Protection Regulations and Tree Protection Guidelines, as well as the International Standards of Arboriculture (ISA) Pruning Standards. Inclusion on this list should not be construed to be a recommendation from the Planning Division.
Form to register for the above list.
Additional species of trees are protected in the County’s Scenic Resource Protection Overlay zone. This map shows where those areas are in the County.
Trees that have a historical designation are protected by the Tree Protection Regulations. Historic trees embody distinguishing characteristics that are inherently valuable and are associated with the landscape that shaped the social and cultural history of Ventura County. Trees can be deemed historic through designation as a Cultural Heritage Site or through a listing (or eligibility for listing) in the California Register for Historic Resources and/or National Register for Historic Places.