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Council introduces protected-tree ordinance, adds sycamore and black walnut to list
Summary
The council introduced Ordinance 25-482, consolidating protected-tree rules into section 9.657, raising the protection threshold from 2 to 6 inches, scaling mitigation by trunk diameter, adding California sycamore and Southern California black walnut, and creating incentives and a certification program; vote to introduce was 5-0.
The Agoura Hills City Council on Nov. 12 introduced Ordinance 25‑482, a consolidated set of protected‑tree regulations intended to streamline permitting, incentivize plantings, and increase mitigation for removal of larger, mature trees.
Assistant Planning Director Robbie Nessevic and the city arborist presented the ordinance and explained the planning principles that guided it: consolidation of rules into a single code section (9.657), three permit types (general, hazardous, development), incentives for registered plantings, fee waivers in limited cases to avoid protected trees, a proposed mitigation fund and a certification program for tree-care companies.
Key regulatory changes include increasing the protection threshold from 2 inches to 6 inches trunk diameter (to protect trees that provide demonstrable environmental value), scaling mitigation requirements by trunk diameter and size, and allowing administrative relief for minor encroachments that do not threaten long-term tree health as long as monitoring programs are put in place. The ordinance also proposes to add the California sycamore and Southern California black walnut to the city’s list of protected trees.
Council members from the LUEDC subcommittee and the planning commission praised the approach, noting the balance between incentives and enforcement and the objective enforcement language proposed. Deborah Klein Lopez moved to introduce Ordinance 25‑482 and Council member Chris Anstead seconded; roll call was 5–0 in favor.
Staff said additional implementation steps—such as fee schedule updates and a tree grant program—would be handled by subsequent resolutions or contracts.
