Tree Removal in Del Mar, CA

Tree Removal in Del Mar is regulated more closely than almost anywhere else in north county. Del Mar is one of only two places on Earth where the Torrey pine grows naturally, the other being Santa Rosa Island, and the tree is endangered, the rarest pine in the United States and a symbol on the city logo. The Del Mar Municipal Code, Chapter 23.50, protects it and several other trees, and removing one without the right paperwork can bring fines, replacement costs or worse.

What counts as protected

According to the city's resident guide to the tree ordinance, protected trees in Del Mar include the Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana) and the Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). Any species becomes protected above a certain size if it stands in the Central Commercial zone or the environmentally sensitive Open Space overlay zone. Any tree of any size in the public right-of-way or on public property is protected too.

Permits and the Notice of Intent

Removing a protected tree generally takes a Tree Removal Permit, issued by the Director of Planning and Community Development; the guide lists the fee as $578 as of July 1, 2025. Some private trees are exempt, but you still file a Notice of Intent, with a $327 fee, so the city can inspect first. The exemptions listed include:

• A single trunk 20 inches or less in circumference, measured two feet above the ground
• Multiple trunks totaling 30 inches or less in circumference at the same height
• A trunk within 12 feet of the exterior wall of a primary or accessory structure
• One of two protected trees growing within 12 feet of each other
• Removal needed for immediate public safety

Replacement trees are not covered by the size exemptions.

Dead, diseased or hazardous trees

If the reason for removal is that a tree is dead, diseased or hazardous, the city requires a report from a Certified Arborist, paid for by the applicant, and may require a $300 deposit for its own arborist's review. If you suspect a protected tree is failing, start that report early; it is the document the city will rely on.

Replacement and penalties

When a protected tree is removed, replacement is generally required. The city decides based on the species, the site and surrounding vegetation, and mitigation is either planting a replacement tree or paying into the Tree Mitigation Fund. Removing a protected tree without a permit can bring fines or imprisonment, plus replacement or payment equal to the tree's value.

Pruning is different

The guide states that pruning or trimming a protected tree located completely on private property does not require a Tree Removal Permit or city authorization. Good pruning is often the right answer for a Torrey pine crowding a roof or view, and it should follow ANSI A300 practices: no topping, and no more live crown removed than the tree can handle.

Bluffs and the coast

The bluffs along the railroad tracks stand about 40 feet above the beach for 1.7 miles, and the south beach bluffs are prone to collapse. Heavy marine layer and mild temperatures, rarely below 41 degrees, keep trees growing year-round. Trees near bluff edges need the same caution as anywhere else on this coast.

How we help in Del Mar

We measure trunks at the heights the ordinance uses, note distances to structures, and tell you whether the tree looks like a permit, Notice of Intent or no-paperwork case before you call the Planning Department. The written estimate is ready to go once the city signs off. Get a free estimate