COUNTYWIDE : Supervisors Adopt Tree Protection Plan

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted an ordinance Tuesday to protect oaks, sycamores, trees designated historic landmarks by the county and all other trees more than 90 inches in girth.

Under the ordinance, which applies to unincorporated areas of the county, homeowners will be able to remove up to five trees for a road or an addition to their dwelling if they purchase a $28 permit. Cutting down more than five protected trees would cost the homeowner a $625 deposit.

Farmers and ranchers will be able to remove up to 10 trees with a $28 permit. Removing between 11 and 25 trees would cost up to $140. Removing more than 25 protected trees would require a $625 deposit, and the final cost would be determined by the amount of staff time needed to review the request.

Nurseries and timber farms are exempt from the new regulations.

Each tree being removed will have to be replaced by another of equal trunk girth. Illegal tree removal is now subject to a fine of at least $300, and violators will have to make two-for-one replacements at their own expense.