Native Tree Ordinance
Atascadero was incorporated in 1979. Recognizing the trees of Atascadero as a valuable natural resource a Native Tree Ordinance was passed in 1988. Prior to that time developers bulldozed trees behind closed gates. No records were kept.
Basically the first ordinance required a tree protection plan any time construction occurred on any parcel of land. Also a permit was required to remove native trees 4-inches or greater in diameter. Mitigation for removing a tree was replanting one 15 gallon like species on site unless there was no place on site to replant. Under these circumstances no mitigation was required. There was no monitoring to ensure this happened and the tree survived.
The ordinance was revised in 1988. The most controversial part of the existing ordinance, which required a permit to remove a tree on a developed single- family residential, was removed. However, mitigation was expanded to add payment of fees into a tree fund and/or establishment of open space easement. A higher mitigation fee was required for deciduous native trees. Property zoned multifamily, commercial property, and colony roads were subject to a fee double that for residential development. Since that time there have been no changes.
A tree ordinance only works if the community is involved and working with staff. ANTA, local arborists and Community Development staff have all worked together to make it a workable ordinance in the field.
The in lieu fees are placed in a Tree Fund. These funds have been used to pay for the tree inventory and for replanting trees on city property, excluding street trees (see tree planting projects)
The largest recorded tree removal project in Atascadero is the 125 acre Woodlands Specific Plan, now called Las Lomas. It is located off Halcon Road, in southeast Atascadero just beyond Paloma Creek Park. One thousand fifty-six native trees, mostly blue oak, were removed. One thousand sixty five trees were impacted. This means more may die.
The Tree Ordinance can be found on the city web site here: Atascadero.org Tree Ordinance (Title 9).
Get Involved:
- Monthly meeting: 2nd Mondays at 5:00pm at the Ranger House next to the horseshoe ring. (map)
- Events - Day of the Oak 1st or 2nd Saturday in November
- Contact us to help volunteer.
- Support us with a donation.
- Link to us and spread the word.