HERITAGE TREES

Temporary modifications to Heritage Tree appeal process for payment:

City Hall is currently closed to the general public. Heritage tree applications have been on hold for this reason. Starting Monday June 15^th staff will begin processing heritage tree applications. Any person wishing to appeal a heritage tree posting must call and make an appointment with the City Clerk’s office at 650 903 6304. The City Hall parking garage at 500 Castro Street is open and will be used for the drop off location for the appeal fee ($50) and the appellants note/letter for the reason or grounds of appeal. Follow the signage once you have made your appointment to the Building Plan Check Drop off point in the garage at your scheduled time. Appeal must be scheduled and processed by the date indicated on the posting. This modifies Section 32.31 of the City of Mountain View Code slightly as to the location of payment and process due to Corona Virus and City Hall being closed to the general public until a time where City Hall is opened to the public.

Forestry Division Heritage Tree Removal Applications & Appeals

Forestry Division Heritage Tree Removal Application

Forestry Division Submitted Removal Applications (Current)

Forestry Division Submitted Removal Applications (Archived)

Forestry Division Submitted Appeals

Planning Division Heritage Tree Removal Notices

Planning Division Removal Notices

Please subscribe to MyMV for Heritage Tree application/appeal notifications

Heritage tree faq

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 Forestry & Roadway Division or the Community Development Department’s Planning Division, depending on the type of property:

Single family homes or multi-family up to 4 units are processed by the Community Services Department’s Forestry & Roadway Division.
All other properties, including multi-family over 4 units, commercial, industrial, etc. are processed by the Community Development Department’s Planning Division.

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?

Please refer to “Heritage Tree Removal Appeal Process” for more information.

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.