Ordinance No. 2323 protects both Oak and Sycamore trees. The regulations (Chapter 7 of the Arcadia Municipal Code) provide that the following trees shall not be removed, relocated, damaged, or have their protected zones encroached upon unless an Oak Tree Permit is granted.

1. Quercus Engelmannii (Engelmann oak), or quercus agrifolia (coast live oak, California live oak) with a trunk diameter larger than four (4) inches measured at a point four and one-half (4½) feet above the root crown, or two (2) or more trunks measuring three (3) inches each or greater in diameter, measured at a point four and one-half (4½) feet above the root crown.

2. Any other living oak tree with a trunk diameter larger than twelve (12) inches measured at a point four and one-half (4½) feet above the root crown, or two (2) or more trunks measuring ten (10) inches each or greater in diameter, measured at a point four and one-half (41/2) feet above the root crown.

3. Plantanus racemosa (Sycamore) with a trunk diameter larger than six (6) inches measured at a point four and one-half (4½) feet above the root crown, or two (2) or more trunks measuring four (4) inches each or greater in diameter, measured at a point four and one-half (4½) feet above the root crown.

Exceptions: 
The following situations are exempt from the Oak Tree Permit requirements:

• Tree removal has been specifically approved as part of a development permit, i.e., tentative parcel map, conditional use permit, modification, etc. This is called a “Combined Permit.
• Removal or relocation of oak trees is necessary to obtain adequate line-of-sight distances, as required by the Director of Public Works.
• Actions taken for the protection of existing electrical power or communication lines or other property of a public utility

If the subject property is within a Homeowners Association area, the applicant shall submit their tree removal plans to the Architectural Review Board of said Homeowners Association for review and approval, conditional approval or denial, prior to filing an application with the City.

Visit the Homeowners Association page to view a map detailing the area of each Homeowners Association, or contact the Planning Division at (626) 574-5423 to determine if you are located in one of these neighborhoods.  If you live in one of these areas, you should check with your Association before removing any tree.

An application for a tree permit for the removal of a healthy protected tree shall be made to the Planning Division. The content, form, instructions, procedures, and requirements of the application package deemed necessary and appropriate for the proper enforcement of the City's Tree Regulation Ordinances shall be established by the Planning Division. The application shall include, but not be limited to the following:

 

(a) A tree report from a Certified Arborist;
(b) An explanation as to why the tree's removal is necessary;
(c) An explanation as to why tree removal is more desirable than alternative project designs;
(d) An explanation of any mitigation measures;
(e) A fee per the City's fee schedule;
(f) A fee, as deemed necessary by the Director, for the City to hire a Certified Arborist to evaluate the tree and potential locations for replacement trees, accompanied by appropriate photographs showing the existing tree to be removed and locations for replacement trees. 

Unprotected trees shall mean trees that are not subject to the regulations stated in the City's Tree Preservation Regulations. Unprotected trees shall include any non-oak and non-sycamore tree located outside a required front, side, street-side, or rear yard setback and any of the following trees located anywhere on a property:

1. Fruit and Nut trees
2. Shamel Ash ( Fraxinus uhdei)
3. Ficuses, except Moreton Bay fig (Ficus macrophylla)
4. Eucalyptus
5. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
6. Palm Tree
7. Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius)
8. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)
9. European White birch (Betula pedula)
10. Silk Oak (Grevillea robusta)
11. Mulberry (Morus)
12. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
13. Italina Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
14. Western Cottonwood (Populous fremontii)
15. White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia)
16. Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)
17. All other varieties and/or hybrids of cottonwood (Populus sp.)
18. Arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis)
19. Sweet Gum (Liquidambar)