Does Citrus Heights Require a Tree Removal Permit?
Yes — and the rules are specific enough that the species and size of your tree determine whether a permit is needed before you call a crew. Citrus Heights incorporated in 1997 and adopted its own Municipal Code, which includes a dedicated tree preservation chapter: Chapter 106.39 of Title 106 (the Zoning Code). That chapter governs removal, pruning, and any ground disturbance near protected trees on private property citywide. The city's approach focuses protection on native oaks and large mature canopy trees while exempting several common species that offer less ecological value. If your tree is on the protected list, you file with the Planning Division before any work starts — not after. Working without a permit can trigger mitigation costs that exceed the permit fee many times over.
Which Trees Are Protected Under Chapter 106.39?
Two categories of trees receive protection under the ordinance. Native oaks get the lower size threshold because the City recognizes their ecological significance at smaller diameters.
The measurement standard is diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground — sometimes called DBH (diameter at breast height). To calculate diameter from a trunk circumference measurement, divide the circumference by 3.142. Trees that were required as a condition of mitigation on a previously approved development permit are also protected, regardless of species or size. If a prior project planted replacement trees on your parcel, those trees carry permit protection even if they would otherwise fall below the thresholds.
Species exempt from the tree permit requirement regardless of size:
- Alder
- Fruit trees (all edible fruit-bearing species)
- Catalpa
- Cottonwood
- Eucalyptus
- Fruitless mulberry
- Palm
- Pine
- Willow
| Tree Category | Protected If Diameter Is… | Measured At |
|---|---|---|
| Native oak trees (all oak species) | 6 inches or more | 4.5 feet above ground |
| Other mature trees | 19 inches or more | 4.5 feet above ground |
| Prior mitigation trees | Any size | Not size-dependent |
What Work Requires a Tree Permit?
The permit requirement is broader than removal. Citrus Heights requires a tree permit for three distinct types of work: **Removal:** Any act that results in the relocation, cutting down, or destruction of a protected tree. This includes work that kills a tree indirectly, even if the tree is not cut in one session. **Significant pruning:** Light trimming of branches two inches or less in diameter does not require a permit. Cutting or removing branches greater than two inches in diameter does require a permit and, in practice, consultation with a certified arborist. **Ground disturbance within the protection zone:** Grading, paving, trenching, or any other ground-disturbing activity within the protected zone — defined as one foot beyond the tree's canopy edge — requires a permit before work begins. This matters most for construction, hardscape, irrigation, and underground utility projects near large trees. A crew trenching for a gas line under a heritage oak without a permit is in violation even if they never touch the trunk.
The Application Process
The Planning Division handles tree permit applications. Here is how the process works based on current city guidance — confirm details and current timelines directly with the city, as processing times and requirements can vary. 1. **Determine if your tree is protected.** Check species and measure diameter at 4.5 feet above ground. Consult the exempt species list above. If protected, proceed. 2. **Gather required documents.** The application may require a site plan showing the tree's location relative to structures and property lines. For larger or more complex removals, the city may require a report from a certified arborist documenting the tree's condition and the rationale for removal. 3. **File the application.** Submit via the City's online portal at mgoconnect.org. In-person submissions can be made at the Planning Division office: 6360 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights, CA 95621. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 4. **Pay the fee.** The Planning Division has listed a permit fee on the city's tree permit pages — verify the current amount at the time of application, as fee schedules are updated periodically. Lots under 10,000 square feet that are part of a recorded subdivision may qualify for a fee exemption; contact the Planning Division at 916-727-4740 to confirm. 5. **Await review.** The Planning Division evaluates applications against the decision criteria in Chapter 106.39. The city may request additional information, an arborist report, or a site visit before approving or denying. 6. **Comply with any conditions.** Approved permits may include conditions — replanting requirements, restrictions on timing, protection measures for nearby trees, or payment into the Tree Mitigation Fund.
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Mitigation: Replanting and the Tree Mitigation Fund
Not every removal permit comes with a simple approval. Chapter 106.39.060 establishes a Tree Mitigation Fund that the city uses to plant, protect, and maintain trees citywide and to support urban forestry education. When the city approves a removal but determines that a significant tree is being lost, the applicant may be required to: - **Replant on site.** The city can require replacement plantings as a permit condition, typically at a ratio and with species specifications set during review. - **Pay into the Tree Mitigation Fund.** If on-site replanting is not feasible — too small a lot, conflicting site conditions — a fee into the fund may be required instead. The specific mitigation requirements are determined case by case during the permit review. For planning purposes, factor in the possibility of both replanting costs and mitigation fees when budgeting a project that involves protected tree removal. Chapter 106.39.090 covers fees and penalties for violations of the ordinance. Specific penalty amounts are set by the city and subject to change — contact the Planning Division for current figures. Removing a protected tree without a permit typically triggers retroactive mitigation at replacement ratios that can significantly exceed the cost of the permit itself.
Common Exemptions and Edge Cases
The exemptions that property owners most often ask about: **Exempt species.** The nine species listed above — pine, eucalyptus, alder, cottonwood, palm, willow, catalpa, fruitless mulberry, and fruit trees — do not require a permit regardless of size. A 36-inch pine is not regulated. A 6-inch valley oak is. **Small lots in subdivisions.** The city has indicated that lots under 10,000 square feet that are part of a recorded subdivision may be exempt from the permit fee. Confirm with the Planning Division whether the exemption applies to the permit requirement itself or only the fee, as the guidance on this varies. **Dead and hazard trees.** California property owners commonly ask whether a dead or structurally dangerous tree is automatically exempt. Citrus Heights Chapter 106.39 does not publicly list an across-the-board hazard exemption in the same way some other cities do. If you have a dead or dangerous protected tree, contact the Planning Division before removal — emergency situations may be handled differently, but verifying that first prevents a potential enforcement problem. **Public right-of-way trees.** Street trees in the city right-of-way are managed by the city, not by individual property owners. Do not prune or remove a street tree without separate city approval — contact Public Works for trees between the sidewalk and curb.
The same crew from estimate to cleanup.
No juggling separate contractors for one tree. Tell us the address and what you're dealing with, and we'll come back with a written, site-specific number.
- Removal, trimming, stumps, and cleanup handled by one crew
- Free, site-specific estimates — priced to your tree, not a flat rate
- Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties
How 916 Trees Helps Citrus Heights Homeowners
We work in Citrus Heights regularly and know the permit landscape. Before any project involving a tree that might be protected, we assess species and diameter on site, tell you upfront whether a permit is required, and help you decide the best path forward — whether that is pulling the permit, working within the trimming allowance, or structuring the project to stay compliant. For construction projects with oak or large mature trees near the footprint, we can also advise on protection zone compliance and connect you with a certified arborist for the report the city may require. Our estimates are free, and we never start removal on a protected tree without the paperwork in order.
Official sources
- City of Citrus Heights — Tree Preservation & Protection Regulations — Official city overview of protected species, thresholds, and permit requirements. citrusheights.net/224
- City of Citrus Heights — Tree Permits — Application portal (mgoconnect.org), required documents, Planning Division contact. citrusheights.net/223
- Citrus Heights Municipal Code, Chapter 106.39 — Tree Preservation and Protection — Full ordinance text including mitigation fund (106.39.060), approval criteria (106.39.070), and fees and penalties (106.39.090). Available via Municode library.
Permit rules in nearby cities
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to prune a large oak in Citrus Heights?
- It depends on the branch size. Light trimming of branches two inches or less in diameter does not require a permit. Removing or cutting branches greater than two inches in diameter on a protected oak does require a tree permit and consultation with a certified arborist. If your oak is six inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground, it is a protected tree under Chapter 106.39.
How do I measure my tree's diameter for the permit threshold?
- Wrap a flexible measuring tape around the trunk at 4.5 feet above ground and record the circumference. Divide that number by 3.142 to get the diameter. For example, a trunk with a circumference of 19 inches has a diameter of about 6 inches — right at the oak protection threshold. If the trunk forks below 4.5 feet, the city's Planning Division can advise on the correct measurement point.
Are pine trees protected in Citrus Heights?
- No. Pine is one of nine species explicitly exempt from the Citrus Heights tree permit requirement regardless of size. Other exempt species include palm, eucalyptus, willow, cottonwood, alder, fruit trees, catalpa, and fruitless mulberry. If you have a large pine that needs to come down, no permit is required under Chapter 106.39 — though standard safety practices and crew insurance still apply.
What happens if I remove a protected tree without a permit?
- Violations of Chapter 106.39 can result in penalties under Section 106.39.090 and mandatory mitigation — typically replanting requirements or fees into the Tree Mitigation Fund at ratios that can significantly exceed the original permit cost. The city may also require restoration of the site. The short version: the permit costs far less than the enforcement outcome. If you have already removed a tree and are unsure whether a permit was required, contact the Planning Division promptly.
Does my lot size affect whether I need a tree permit in Citrus Heights?
- Lot size affects the fee, not necessarily the permit requirement. Lots under 10,000 square feet that are part of a recorded subdivision may be exempt from the tree permit fee. Whether those small-lot properties are also exempt from the permit requirement itself is worth confirming directly with the Planning Division at 916-727-4740 — the city's published guidance covers the fee exemption specifically.
How long does the Citrus Heights tree permit process take?
- The city does not publish a standard processing timeline on its public pages. For straightforward removals with a completed application and no additional arborist report required, turnaround can be relatively quick. More complex projects — multiple protected trees, construction near root zones, or applications requiring mitigation conditions — take longer. Plan ahead and file early; do not schedule your crew for the same week you submit the application.
Do I need a permit for construction work near a protected oak?
- Yes. Any grading, paving, trenching, or other ground-disturbing activity within the protected zone — defined as one foot beyond the tree's canopy edge — requires a tree permit before work begins. This catches a lot of homeowners doing driveway extensions, patio installations, or utility work who do not realize the permit applies even when they are not cutting the tree. If your project footprint comes within a tree's drip line, check with the Planning Division first.