Everyone loves a beautifully manicured landscape. It takes a lot of planning to get your lawns, plants, and flowers designed just perfectly to create your desired results. Even the proper placement of your trees is extremely important. Many property owners bring in new trees to help add foliage to the grounds and sometimes there might even be a need to remove your trees due to a remodel or a landscape design.
This is where you, as the owner of the property, can run into problems. Did you know that many cities in California require a permit before cutting down a tree? Your city can take this extremely seriously. If your city requires a permit and you do not have one you might be ordered to pay costly fines as well as replace any trees that were cut down. The fines can be as much as $5000 for one tree and up to $10,000 for each additional tree.
Being a Responsible Homeowner
It is important to know your local laws and to be careful about taking second hand advice as fact. Just recently, a property owner was fined over $52,000 for cutting down six trees without a permit. Apparently, a hired tree-trimming contractor told him it was okay to cut down the trees without a permit. The contractor was wrong and the homeowner was responsible for the fine.*
Each city has their own specification of what size and type of tree can be cut down and which type of trees needs to be protected. It would be advisable to contact your local city building department where you live to inquire about the laws and permit requirements before cutting down any trees on your property.
For an example of a tree destruction, permit click here
It is with careful care and reason that California, along with other states, ask to be careful when dealing with trees. It isn’t to be a challenge, even if it can present extra steps, but a way to ensure a balance. The benefits of trees, for bio diversity and your own health, are why there is such an interest in keeping them. And like any good law, it is easy to see the beauty within it.