Native Trees: Our Heritage, Our Responsibility
Oak, Sycamore and California Bay Trees Are Protected
The indigenous oak, bay, and sycamore trees within the City are natural aesthetic and ecological resources which help define the character of Glendale. The goal of the City’s Indigenous Tree Program has been to preserve the natural environment and to protect the city's native plant life heritage for the benefit of all citizens.
Oak, bay, and sycamore trees are unique because of their size and beauty and their relative abundance adds distinction and character to certain neighborhoods within the community. It is pertinent to the public peace, harmony and welfare that these trees be protected from mutilation, indiscriminate cutting, damage, destruction or removal in order to provide for conservation purposes, as well as for the preservation of the natural beauty which the oak, bay, and sycamore trees lend to the city.
Since 1982, native trees growing within City of Glendale limits have been under protections established in the Indigenous Tree Ordinance. The administration of this Ordinance was the responsibility of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. In March 2007, the City Council adopted an updated version of the Indigenous Tree Ordinance, which, among other significant refinements, transitioned the administration of the Ordinance to the Public Works Department.
As a result of this transition, all necessary permit transactions will now take place at a centralized location:
Glendale Permit Service Center
City of Glendale Municipal Services Building
633 E. Broadway, Room 101
Fax (818) 548-3215
Email us
Click here for a map to the Permit Service Center.
About the Ordinance
The new Ordinance, Glendale Municipal Code, Section 12.44, specifically protects six different native or “indigenous” species of trees:
The trees must have a trunk diameter of six inches or greater to meet the minimum size for protection under the new Municipal Code rules.
Established Fees for protected Indigenous Trees Permits (FEES WAIVED for regular pruning applications)
Resolution No. 07-91 (Section 1) - Established fees
Resolution No. 07-91 (complete)
Permits Required
A City Permit must be acquired from Permit Services Center to do any cutting, removals, pruning, moving or any other encroachment upon indigenous oaks, bay or sycamore trees even on private property. Encroachment includes virtually any activity that disturbs the ground surface around the tree’s root zone within five feet of its “dripline” (see Figure 1 below).
Download permit - This form is in PDF format. Users can fill out the form and save it to their computer if Adobe Reader 8 is installed. Because a signature is required, a copy of the form must be printed, signed, and brought to the Glendale Permit Service Center.
Penalties for Destroying/Removing Indigenous Trees
Any person who damages a protected tree as described in the “Indigenous Tree Ordinance” and/or destroys or removes one without a valid permit will be subject to penalties. Penalties include but not limited to monetary fees, a criminal action, or a civil action, or both.
Information regarding penalties in the Glendale Municipal Code.
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Figure 1 - Click to see larger image. |
Further Information
For further information regarding the Indigenous Tree Program and the new rules for indigenous trees established in the Municipal Code, including actions specifically prohibited in or around a native tree, the permit process, relative fees or other general information regarding the protection of our indigenous trees, please contact the Public Works Maintenance Services Division at (818) 548-3950.
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