Do you need a permit?
Check with the city
We could not verify whether Bakersfield requires a permit to remove a tree on private property, and we will not guess. The city's official code has exactly two tree provisions — Chapter 12.40 "Street Trees" and Section 17.61.050 "Tree preservation and protection" inside the zoning code's Landscape Standards chapter — and the code host blocks automated access, so we could not read either one's text. What we can confirm is that Chapter 17.61's landscaping rules are triggered by "projects for which site plan approval is required," which is a development trigger rather than a homeowner-yard trigger. Call the city at (661) 326-3000 and ask for Development Services about BMC 17.61.050 and for Public Works about street trees under Chapter 12.40.
Fees, penalties, and the ordinance
- Ordinance
- Bakersfield Municipal Code Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places), Chapter 12.40 — Street Trees (Secs. 12.40.010 through 12.40.110, including 12.40.080 Inspection and removal, 12.40.090 Duty of private owners—Removal of hazardous trees—Charging costs of work done by city, and 12.40.095 Permits for commercial tree contractors). Bakersfield Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning), Chapter 17.61 — Landscape Standards, Sec. 17.61.050 — Tree preservation and protection. The code was current through Ordinance 5177, passed May 22, 2024, as of the last version we could read.
Worth knowing
- Chapter 17.61 applies to development, not to routine yard work. BMC 17.61.020(A): "All projects for which site plan approval is required shall install and maintain landscaping in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; provided, however, these landscape requirements shall not apply to projects where a current use is expanded and the valuation of the building permit is less than fifty percent of the replacement value of the existing improvements."
- A replacement rule does exist, but it is tied to revised landscape plans rather than yard trees. BMC 17.61.020(C)(2): "Trees removed as part of a revised landscape plan shall be replaced on a one-to-one basis" unless it would be detrimental to public health, safety or welfare, or special physical circumstances limit additional landscaping.
- Chapter 12.40 clearly contemplates a permit regime for street trees and for commercial tree contractors, given section titles 12.40.040 "Jurisdiction and control" and 12.40.095 "Permits for commercial tree contractors," but we could not read the section text to say who issues those permits or what they cost.
- Bakersfield is not a Municode city. Its official code publisher is Code Publishing Company at bakersfield.municipal.codes, which sits behind a Cloudflare challenge that blocks automated readers. A person using an ordinary browser can read the sections directly at bakersfield.municipal.codes/Code/17.61.050 and bakersfield.municipal.codes/Code/12.40.
What we could not confirm
We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.
- — Whether a permit is required to remove a tree on private property in Bakersfield.
- — The full text of BMC 17.61.050 "Tree preservation and protection," which is the one section most likely to define any protected-tree standard.
- — The full text of BMC Chapter 12.40, including the definitions, the inspection and removal section, the duty of private owners, and the commercial tree contractor permit.
- — Any trunk diameter, DBH, height or canopy threshold anywhere in the Bakersfield code.
- — Any protected, heritage, landmark or native species designation in Bakersfield.
- — Any tree permit fee amount, how to apply, and penalties for unpermitted removal.
- — A direct phone number, email or address for the specific city office that handles tree questions. Recreation and Parks urban forestry, Public Works, and Development Services all remain unconfirmed.
- — Whether the code has been amended past Ordinance 5177 (May 22, 2024).
Sources
- City of Bakersfield — official website
- Bakersfield Municipal Code — official code host
- Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 12.40 — Street Trees (section list)
- Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 17.61 — Landscape Standards (includes 17.61.050 Tree preservation and protection)
- City of Bakersfield — Tree Advisory Group