Contact

Urban Forestry Division
231 North Whisman Road
Mountain View, CA 94043

650-903-6273

Heritage Trees

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

In-Person Heritage Tree Removal Application

Updated: June 20, 2022

The Urban Forestry Division is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Any person wishing to walk-in or submit an in-person Heritage Tree Removal application may do so during these hours. Outside of these hours, please call the Forestry Division office at 650-903-6273 to schedule an appointment.

Urban Forestry Division Heritage Tree Removal Applications & Appeals

Planning Division Heritage Tree Removal Notices

Planning Division Removal Notices

Heritage Tree FAQ

Heritage Tree FAQ (PDF)

How do I know if I have a Heritage tree?
Mountain View’s City Code (Chapter 32, Article II) defines a “Heritage Tree” as a tree with any of the following characteristics:

A tree trunk with a circumference of forty-eight inches (48") or more, measured at fifty-four inches (54") above natural grade. Multi-trunk trees are measured just below the first major trunk fork.
Any of the following three species of trees with a circumference of twelve inches (12”) or more, measured at fifty-four inches (54”) above natural grade.
- Quercus (oak)
- Sequoia (redwood)
- Cedrus (cedar)
A grove(s) of trees designated as “heritage” by the City Council.

What responsibility do I have if there is a Heritage Tree on my property?
Mountain View’s ordinance states that if you own or control real property in the City, you are responsible for maintaining and preserving all Heritage trees in a state of good health. It is against the City ordinance to willfully injure, damage, destroy, move or remove a Heritage tree unless granted a removal permit by the City.

What if I want to remove a heritage tree on my property?
Any Heritage Tree(s) proposed for removal requires a removal permit, which is issued by either the Community Services Department’s Urban Forestry Division or the Community Development Department’s Planning Division, depending on the type of property:

The Community Services Department processes up to 4 Heritage tree removals for all property types when no development permit is required.
The Community Development Department Planning Division processes 5 or more Heritage tree removals or when a development permit is required.

Please refer to Heritage Tree Removal Permit Process for more information.

How do I appeal a decision to approve or deny a Heritage tree removal permit?
Heritage Tree Removal Appeal Process

What is the urban forestry board (UFB)?
The Urban Forestry Board (UFB) is a City Council Advisory Body made up of the members of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Tree appeals that have been processed by the Community Services Department’s Forestry & Roadway Division are reviewed by the UFB.

How will I know if a Heritage Tree Removal Application has been submitted or if an appeal has been filed?
For single family and multi-family up to 4 units, you can subscribe to MyMV to be notified when an application has been submitted or an appeal has been filed.

Resources

Single Family Homes or Multi-Family Up to 4 Units

Community Services Department’s Urban Forestry Division (Removal Applications)
231 N. Whisman
Mountain View CA, 94043
(650) 903-6273
parks@mountainview.gov

City Clerk's Office (Appeals)
500 Castro Street, 3rd Floor
Mountain View, CA 94041
650-903-6304
city.clerk@mountainview.gov
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Closed Daily 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

All Other Properties (Multi-family Over 4 Units, Commercial, Industrial, Etc.)

Community Development Department’s Planning Division
500 Castro St., 1st Floor
Mountain View, CA, 94041
(650) 903-6306

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Word Viewer