Ventura—The City Council’s tree ordinance approval on Tuesday, October 27, continues with Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Emily Fox saying they are protecting Ventura’s most significant trees.
PLANNING Manager Shanna Farley said it comes down to a couple of main questions if a tree permit is required. “The key takeaway is that tree permits are only required for removing a protected tree, or conducting major pruning of a protected tree, which includes removing major structural branches root or 25 percent or more of the tree’s canopy or root system, potentially affecting the tree’s health and stability.”
She said there is one limited exception for minor pruning, as a tree permit is required when a tree contributes to habitat function inside a designated environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA) or Monarch Butterfly Habitat, or if it provides active habitat for protected wildlife.
“We anticipate these situations to be relatively uncommon,” she said. “Otherwise, minor pruning of protected trees, also known as routine tree maintenance, does not require a tree permit.”
For the non-protected trees, she said no tree permit is required for minor or major pruning or removal.
“To help property owners determine whether additional environmental review may be required, such…
