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Central Coast Tree Permit Guide: Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo Counties

Before a tree comes down, find out who regulates it and what they require.

Who regulates tree removal where you live, which trees are protected, and where to apply — for both counties and all fifteen cities, checked against each agency’s current code.

One page, every jurisdiction.
Each section names the agency, the permit triggers, the main exemptions, and the official source.

Santa Barbara County San Luis Obispo County

Checked October 25, 2026.

ISA Certified Arborist #WE-9985A TRAQ Written Findings Available Santa Barbara County San Luis Obispo County
The Question in Front of You

Do I need a permit to remove a tree on the Central Coast?

Do I need a permit to remove a tree? It depends on where the tree is, what species it is, and how big it is. The rules change at every city line, and again between a county’s coastal zone and its inland areas. Street trees almost always need city approval. Native oaks are protected in much of both counties, and several cities protect other native species or every tree above a set trunk size.

Find your city or unincorporated area below. Each section names the agency, what triggers a permit, the main exemptions, and a link to the official source.

Rules change, so confirm with the agency before any work starts. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

How trunk size is measured: most codes use diameter at “breast height” — 4.5 feet above the ground (4 feet in a few codes, as noted). Multi-trunk trees are often measured by adding the trunks together.

Santa Barbara County

San Luis Obispo County

Before Any Tree Comes Down

Rules that apply everywhere.

  • Nesting birds. California Fish and Game Code §3503 makes it unlawful to “needlessly destroy the nest or eggs of any bird.” This applies whether or not a tree permit is required. Some cities also set their own nesting-season limits, noted below.
  • Street and right-of-way trees. Trees in the parkway or public right-of-way are usually city property or city-regulated, even when the adjacent owner maintains them.
  • Conditions of approval. Trees required by an earlier development approval or landscape plan are often protected even where other private trees are not.
  • HOAs. CC&Rs can restrict tree removal separately from city or county rules.
  • Arborist documentation. Many of these agencies ask for a certified arborist’s evaluation for hazard or disease removals, or for construction near protected trees. Where a code says so, it is noted below.
Jurisdiction by Jurisdiction

Santa Barbara County

Unincorporated Santa Barbara County Verified

Inland rural areas — deciduous oaks. The Deciduous Oak Tree Protection and Regeneration Ordinance (Ordinance 4490, County Code Chapter 35, Article IX) protects valley oaks and blue oaks 4 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet. It applies in agricultural and resource-management zones outside the coastal zone and urban boundaries, when the removal is not part of a project that already needs a development permit.

  • Removals are tallied per lot over a 30-year period. A small number is exempt — for non-agricultural removal, 2 trees on a lot under 50 acres, rising with acreage. Beyond the limit, an oak tree removal permit is required.
  • Exempt and not counted: trees that are naturally dead or uprooted, within 50 feet of an existing residence, or posing an immediate safety threat.
  • Administered by Planning & Development; the Agricultural Commissioner administers the grading ordinance’s native oak guidelines.

Coastal zone. A Coastal Development Permit is required to remove any tree 6 inches or more in diameter (measured 4 feet above ground) and 6 feet or taller that is in a county street right-of-way, within 50 feet of a stream (except for agriculture), an oak, or used as habitat by monarch butterflies (Coastal Zoning Ordinance §35-140).

Montecito and other habitat overlay areas. In the Montecito Environmentally Sensitive Habitat overlay, removing a native tree more than 6 inches in diameter and 6 feet tall, or a tree used by roosting monarchs or nesting raptors, requires a Land Use Permit unless the county makes one of its listed findings (dead, diseased, hazardous, or blocking an approved project). The Gaviota Coast Plan area has a similar rule.

Sources: County Code Ch. 35, Art. IX · §35-140 · Montecito LUDC §35.428.040 · Verified October 25, 2026

City of Santa Barbara Verified

The city protects five kinds of trees: street trees; designated historic and specimen trees; setback trees (50% or more of the trunk in the front setback); parking lot trees; and trees shown on an approved landscape plan.

  • Parks & Recreation (Urban Forestry) handles street trees, historic or specimen trees in the right-of-way, and setback trees.
  • Community Development (Planning) handles trees in historic or landmark districts, parking lot trees, and landscape-plan trees. A Minor Tree Removal Permit covers one to three protected trees.
  • Private trees outside these categories are not covered by the city’s tree removal permit.

Source: City of Santa Barbara Tree Removal Permit handout · Verified October 25, 2026

Goleta Street trees + habitat areas

Removing a tree in the road right-of-way requires a special written permit from the city, which can carry replacement conditions (Municipal Code §12.02.560). Goleta’s zoning code also protects environmentally sensitive habitat areas, including monarch butterfly groves, where tree removal is restricted (§17.30.180).

We did not find a general permit for ordinary private yard trees outside habitat areas. Check with Planning if the tree is near a creek, in a grove, or part of a development project.

Source: Goleta Municipal Code · Verified October 25, 2026

Carpinteria Street trees

Chapter 12.28 governs street trees. Removal requires a permit, and tree removal permit applications are subject to posting and a public hearing (§12.28.170). The code also restricts street tree removal and pruning during nesting season (§12.28.120), and defines exceptional specimen, habitat, and historic trees as “protected trees.”

Private trees fall under zoning and development review rather than this chapter. Ask Community Development before removing a large or native tree, especially one tied to construction.

Source: Carpinteria Municipal Code, Ch. 12.28 · Verified October 25, 2026

Solvang Third-party code copy

A written permit from the Public Works Director is required to remove or prune a “city tree” — any tree on city property or right-of-way expected to reach 15 feet or more (Title 8, Chapter 8, §8-8-3). Trees on private property that were required as a condition of development cannot be removed without a written permit from the Community Development Director (§8-8-5). The chapter sets no general permit for other private trees and names no protected species.

Source: Solvang Municipal Code Title 8, Ch. 8 (third-party copy; confirm with the city) · Read October 25, 2026

Buellton Third-party code copy

Buellton’s Native Tree Protection chapter (12.32) protects native oaks, cottonwoods, and sycamores 8 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet, or multi-trunk trees totaling 12 inches or more. Removal requires prior consent from the Planning Director, who issues a written decision within ten business days of a complete application.

  • Exempt: trees naturally dead or uprooted, within 50 feet of an existing home, or posing an immediate safety threat as determined by a qualified arborist.
  • Replacement: 3 oaks for each oak removed; 2 for each cottonwood or sycamore, same species, nurtured for five years.

The city council was updating its tree policies in late 2025. Confirm the current rules with the Planning Department.

Source: Buellton Municipal Code Ch. 12.32 (third-party copy) · Read October 25, 2026

Lompoc Third-party code copy

A written permit is required to remove or prune a “City tree” — one planted by the city on city property or right-of-way and expected to reach 15 feet or more. These permits are handled under the Parks and Urban Forestry Manager (Chapter 12.32). Trees required as a development condition need a written permit to remove (§12.32.050). The chapter sets no permit for other private trees.

Source: Lompoc Municipal Code Ch. 12.32 (third-party copy; confirm with the city) · Read October 25, 2026

Santa Maria Street trees

The Urban Forestry chapter (8-8) requires a permit to cut down, remove, or transplant any live tree growing in a parkway, easement, or right-of-way, with the reasons for removal stated in the application (§8-8.12). Removals generally require replacement trees (§8-8.14), and topping is prohibited (§8-8.16).

We found no general permit for private yard trees in the municipal code. Trees required by a development approval may still be protected by those conditions.

Source: Santa Maria Municipal Code, Ch. 8-8 · Verified October 25, 2026

Guadalupe Third-party code copy

Trees may not be planted in or removed from a public parking strip without permission from the Director of Public Works (§12.12.030). The code defines the parking strip as a city easement over private property next to the street, so a tree there may fall under this rule even on private land. The chapter sets no removal permit for other private trees.

Source: Guadalupe Municipal Code Ch. 12.12 (third-party copy; confirm with the city) · Read October 25, 2026

Jurisdiction by Jurisdiction

San Luis Obispo County

Unincorporated San Luis Obispo County Verified

Inland rural areas — oak woodlands. The Oak Woodland Ordinance (Title 22, Chapter 22.58) regulates clear-cutting of oak woodland, not individual trees. Clear-cutting 1 to 3 acres within ten years needs a Minor Use Permit; more than 3 acres needs a Conditional Use Permit. Clear-cutting on slopes of 30% or more is prohibited, with limited exceptions. Removing any Heritage Oak — 48 inches or more in diameter and at least 500 feet from other oaks — needs a Minor Use Permit.

Inside urban and village reserve lines. Removing a tree requires a Zoning Clearance (§22.56.020). Exempt: trees on developed residential lots in residential categories; trunks under 8 inches in diameter at 4 feet; hazardous trees; agricultural clearing.

Coastal zone. Tree removal requires Plot Plan approval, or a Minor Use Permit in sensitive locations such as riparian areas, appealable areas, and sensitive resource areas, or when removal is not tied to a development permit (Title 23, §23.05.062). Exempt: trunks under 8 inches at 4 feet, immediately hazardous trees with a Planning Director letter, and agricultural clearing.

Sources: Ch. 22.58 · §22.56.020 · §23.05.062 · Verified October 25, 2026

City of San Luis Obispo Verified

A tree removal permit is required to remove any tree unless an exemption applies (Municipal Code §12.24.090). In R-1 and R-2 zones, no permit is needed if all of these are true: a native tree under 10 inches in diameter (4'6") or a non-native under 20 inches; not in a creek setback; not a street tree or within 10 feet of the back of the sidewalk; and not required by a development approval. Palms under 12 inches are also exempt.

  • The city arborist decides health and hazard removals; removals for convenience go to the Tree Committee.
  • Development projects generally need an arborist report covering every tree in the development footprint.
  • Replanting is required as compensation for approved removals.

Source: SLO Municipal Code §12.24.090 · Verified October 25, 2026

Arroyo Grande Verified

A tree removal permit (no charge) is required for “regulated trees” (Municipal Code §12.16.070):

  • any tree on commercial, multifamily, or mixed-use property;
  • coast live oaks 12 inches or more in diameter at 4'6" in single-family zones;
  • any tree in the public right-of-way next to single-family property.

Landmark trees designated by the City Council cannot be removed without Council consent. Pruning more than one-third of a tree is prohibited without written approval. Apply online through Public Works.

Sources: Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Ch. 12.16 · Online permit application · Verified October 25, 2026

Pismo Beach Street trees

Removing a tree in a public place — streets, parkways, public areas — requires an application and an encroachment permit from the Director of Public Works. Ordinary maintenance of parkway trees does not (§12.12.030(C)).

We did not find a private-tree removal permit in Title 12. Much of Pismo Beach is in the coastal zone, so ask Planning before removing a large tree, especially near a bluff or creek.

Source: Pismo Beach Municipal Code §12.12.030 · Verified October 25, 2026

Grover Beach Street trees

Public Works maintains city-planted trees along certain major streets. No trimming or maintenance of a city-maintained tree is allowed without prior written consent from the Director of Public Works, and most street tree removals require planting a replacement. Some street trees are privately maintained under earlier development conditions; Community Development can confirm. Street tree rules for development are in Development Code §5.30.

We did not find a general permit for private yard trees.

Source: Grover Beach Street Maintenance page · Verified October 25, 2026

Atascadero Verified

The Native Tree Regulations (Title 9, Chapter 11) apply to public and private property citywide. A permit is required to remove deciduous native oaks, California sycamores, and madrones 2 inches or more in diameter, and other protected natives 4 inches or more. Coast live oak, California bay laurel, black walnut, toyon, and several oak species are on the list. Pruning more than 25% of a native tree’s live canopy also needs a permit.

  • Exempt: single-family homes in single-family zones with an existing dwelling, when no building or grading permit is being sought, plus emergencies and emergency septic repair.
  • Construction within a native tree’s dripline requires a tree protection plan prepared to a certified arborist’s specification. The city’s permit form is signed by both a certified arborist and the owner.
  • Heritage trees require City Council approval to remove. Other decisions are made by Community Development, with sites posted for 15 days.

Sources: Atascadero Municipal Code Ch. 9-11 · City handout · Verified October 25, 2026

Paso Robles Verified

Any native oak 6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet, on private or public property, needs a permit to remove (Municipal Code §10.01.030). Staff can approve only oaks that are clearly dead or diseased beyond correction, based on an arborist’s evaluation. Removing a healthy oak goes to the City Council.

  • Pruning limbs 6 inches or larger needs a permit, except on developed properties not seeking new entitlements.
  • Applications go to Community Development with a per-tree deposit.

Source: Paso Robles Municipal Code Ch. 10.01 · Verified October 25, 2026

Morro Bay Verified

Private trees. Under the city’s Major Vegetation Removal guidelines, a permit may be required to remove a tree 6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet, or a multi-trunk tree with one 6-inch trunk or 20 inches combined. Removal that counts as “major vegetation” — near creeks, bluffs, wetlands, or significant habitat — requires a Coastal Development Permit.

  • Single-family homes have a small annual allowance without a permit, as do fruit trees and trees posing imminent danger. Confirm the allowance with the Planning Division.
  • Hazard removals need a certified arborist’s Tree Hazard Evaluation Form.
  • The guidelines set a nesting season of February 1 to June 30, when removal is allowed only in an emergency.

Right-of-way trees. A written permit from the Director of Public Services is required to trim, prune, or remove any tree in the public right-of-way (§12.08.060).

Sources: Morro Bay tree removal guidelines and implementation memo · Morro Bay Municipal Code Ch. 12.08 · Verified October 25, 2026

Independent by Design

Where an independent arborist fits.

Several of these agencies ask for an arborist’s evaluation before a hazard or disease removal, or a tree protection plan before construction near protected trees.

ArborSolutions provides that documentation. We don’t remove or prune trees, so the findings follow the tree’s condition, not a work order.

Ask About Your Tree
Questions

Clear answers before you call.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree on the Central Coast?

It depends on where the tree is, its species, and its size. Rules change at every city line and between a county’s coastal zone and inland areas. Street trees almost always need city approval, and native oaks are protected in much of both counties.

Do I need a permit to remove an oak tree in San Luis Obispo County?

It depends on location. In unincorporated inland rural areas, the county regulates clear-cutting of oak woodland and removal of Heritage Oaks (48 inches or more, isolated). Inside urban and village reserve lines and in the coastal zone, tree removal permits apply with exemptions. Atascadero, Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, and San Luis Obispo each have their own rules that cover oaks.

Do I need a permit to remove an oak tree in Santa Barbara County?

In inland rural agricultural and resource zones, valley and blue oaks 4 inches or more are tracked under the Deciduous Oak Ordinance, with a permit required beyond set limits. In the coastal zone, removing an oak 6 inches or more needs a Coastal Development Permit. Inside cities, the city’s rules apply.

Can I remove a street tree in front of my house?

Not on your own. Every city in this guide requires permission from the city before a street or right-of-way tree is removed, and most require a replacement tree.

Is a dead or hazardous tree exempt from a permit?

Often, but not automatically. Many codes exempt dead or immediately hazardous trees, but several require an arborist’s written evaluation or a letter from the agency first.

Does ArborSolutions issue tree permits?

No. Permits come from the city or county. ArborSolutions provides independent arborist evaluations and reports that agencies may ask for as part of an application.

What areas does ArborSolutions serve?

Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County, California.

Have more questions? Browse the Answer Library for tree, landscape, and property documentation answers.

About this guide.

Each section was checked against the agency’s published code or official handout on the date shown. Sections marked “Third-party code copy” were read from an unofficial reproduction of the city’s code because the city’s own copy was not reachable; confirm those with the city.

Codes change, and individual properties may carry conditions not shown here. ArborSolutions does not provide legal advice and does not guarantee municipal, HOA, or other third-party acceptance or outcomes.

Reference

Statewide rule cited on this page.

  1. California Fish and Game Code §3503. Protection of bird nests and eggs. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
Tell Us About the Tree

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Daniel Arrellanes

Owner, ArborSolutions
ISA Certified Arborist #WE-9985A · TRAQ · QWEL
Certified California Native Plant Landscaper

Independent consulting arborist serving Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County. ISA Certified Arborist #WE-9985A · TRAQ · QWEL.

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