Protecting Local Oak Trees
For 30 years, the County attempted to pass regulations protecting local oak trees, but the efforts were never successful. That all changed in 2017.
In April 2017, the County Board of Supervisors passed regulations to prevent the destruction of local oak trees following public outcry over the actions of a single landowner in 2016.
The new regulation protects oak trees in many ways. Among other things, it prohibits clear cutting of oaks, requires land-use permits for proposed tree removal over one acre and of individual “Heritage” oaks over 48 inches in diameter, and limits the removal of oaks on steep slopes. But the new regulation also balances those protections with protections of individual property rights, as it includes exceptions. For example, trees can still be removed as part of a permit to build a house; as part of the construction or protection of a fence line; or if the trees are dead, dying or hazardous.
The regulation was created after a private landowner in June 2016 demolished approximately 8,000 oak trees to plant a new vineyard. The massive tree removal stripped the hillsides, destabilized the ground, removed habitat, and destroyed a portion of the County’s quintessential landscape.
Later that month, the Board of Supervisors heard 90 minutes of public testimony from upset and outraged citizens pleading for new regulations to protect local oaks. As a result, the Board directed County staff to prepare an “urgency ordinance”, or a temporary regulation, to protect oak trees until more permanent regulation could be passed.
Staff wrote an urgency ordinance in less than two weeks and the Board of Supervisors adopted it in July 2016. While the temporary rules would be in effect for two years, staff drafted a permanent ordinance that the Board adopted in April 2017.
This new regulation protects the future of San Luis Obispo County’s oaks and beautiful landscape for years to come.
In April 2017, the County Board of Supervisors passed regulations to prevent the destruction of local oak trees following public outcry over the actions of a single landowner in 2016.
The new regulation protects oak trees in many ways. Among other things, it prohibits clear cutting of oaks, requires land-use permits for proposed tree removal over one acre and of individual “Heritage” oaks over 48 inches in diameter, and limits the removal of oaks on steep slopes. But the new regulation also balances those protections with protections of individual property rights, as it includes exceptions. For example, trees can still be removed as part of a permit to build a house; as part of the construction or protection of a fence line; or if the trees are dead, dying or hazardous.
The regulation was created after a private landowner in June 2016 demolished approximately 8,000 oak trees to plant a new vineyard. The massive tree removal stripped the hillsides, destabilized the ground, removed habitat, and destroyed a portion of the County’s quintessential landscape.
Later that month, the Board of Supervisors heard 90 minutes of public testimony from upset and outraged citizens pleading for new regulations to protect local oaks. As a result, the Board directed County staff to prepare an “urgency ordinance”, or a temporary regulation, to protect oak trees until more permanent regulation could be passed.
Staff wrote an urgency ordinance in less than two weeks and the Board of Supervisors adopted it in July 2016. While the temporary rules would be in effect for two years, staff drafted a permanent ordinance that the Board adopted in April 2017.
This new regulation protects the future of San Luis Obispo County’s oaks and beautiful landscape for years to come.