The Urban Forestry Program provides the following services:

1. Emergency response to tree issues that pose a potential threat to the public or property.
2. Removal of City trees that are dead in the public right-of-way.
3. Contractual safety tree trimming to prevent future potential tree failures or right-of-way issues, as budget permits.

Planting of trees on City Property

No tree, palm, shrub, or other vegetation may be planted within City parkways or other public right-of-ways without prior approval from The City Arborist or the Open Space Manager. They will approve the plant material, designate the location thereof, and determine if root barrier is required for the species allowed.

Chula Vista Urban Forest Tree List

The City of Chula Vista promotes the planting of the right tree in the right place for spatial definition and the abundant benefits which the City’s urban forest provides. Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapter 12.32 contains the City’s Tree Ordinance and specifies which trees cannot be planted in the City. View list of trees approved for planting in Chula Vista.

Tree Removal Application and Permit

A Tree Removal Permit is required if your tree is:

• Within any city parkway, between the sidewalk and the street
• The designated street tree species within a Tree Plaining and Maintenance Easement
• Located in any other right-of-way

Criteria for granting tree removal permits:

The City of Chula Vista promotes preservation of mature healthy trees whenever possible. A tree removal permit will be considered for approval only if the tree:

1. Is still functional but in a slow decline, and has a relatively short life expectancy
2. Is a perpetual host to diseases/insects that endanger other  trees and/or property
3. Is overcrowded by neighboring trees
4. Makes reasonable development or improvement of the property impossible
5. Makes reasonable enjoyment of a structure or utility, which was in place before the tree was planted, impossible, or
6. Has been damaged to the extent that it cannot be feasibly restored to a reasonably attractive condition.

Permit Requirements

• All stumps must be ground to a minimum of 12 inches depth and grindings removed.
• Property/homeowner will pay a qualified, licensed and insured contractor for removal of the tree, stump and surface roots.
• Owner is responsible for notifying DigAlert underground utility locators (dial 811) at least 2 days prior to stump grinding or excavation.
• Owner is responsible for any damage to utilities resulting from tree removal.

Any additional questions regarding City trees, please call (619) 397-6000 or visit the Service Requests page.