City of Los Angeles · Mulholland Specific Plan
Oak Tree Protection Standards
Code Citation
MSPSP §5 B 4 · §10
MSPSP §5 B 4 · §10
Definition
Three native oak species are specifically protected within the Mulholland Specific Plan area: Quercus agrifolia (coast live oak), Quercus lobata (valley oak), and Quercus virginiana (southern live oak). No protected oak may be removed, cut down, or moved without prior written Director approval. Where removal is approved, replacement is required at a 2-for-1 ratio with 36-inch boxed specimens of the same species.
The protection runs in parallel with the City of Los Angeles Protected Tree Ordinance and is coordinated with Urban Forestry through the Tree Disclosure Statement (CP-4067) and Urban Forestry Recommendation (CP-4070) processes.
The Two-Stage Protection
- Pre-removal: prior written Director approval required for any removal, cutting, or moving of a protected oak.
- Post-removal: replacement at 2-for-1 with 36-inch box specimens of the same species, shown on the Landscape Plan.
Ordinance ExcerptNo oak tree (Quercus agrifolia, lobata, q. virginiana) shall be removed, cut down, or moved without the prior written approval of the Director pursuant to Section 11.
Native trees, including oaks, that are removed must be replaced according to the schedule. Quercus agrifolia, lobata, and q. virginiana — 36-inch box, two-for-one. All other native trees — 15 gallon, two-for-one.
What Plan Check Looks For
- A Tree Disclosure Statement (CP-4067) listing all on-site trees with species and diameter.
- Identification of any protected oaks on the topographic survey and Site Plan.
- For any proposed removal, the Director’s prior written approval in the project record.
- An Urban Forestry Recommendation for Protected Tree Mitigation (CP-4070) where applicable.
- Replacement specimens shown on the Landscape Plan with species, container size (36-inch box for protected oaks), and quantity (2:1 for each oak removed).
- Tree protection measures during construction — drip-line fencing, no grading or paving within the protected zone.
Upstream Decisions
- Survey all on-site trees at the topographic survey stage.
- Where oaks are present, design around them. Oaks frequently constrain building footprint, driveway alignment, and grading.
- Where removal is unavoidable, plan the Director approval into the project schedule. Approval is not pro forma.
- Coordinate the replacement schedule with the Landscape Plan. 36-inch box specimens require space, irrigation, and access for installation.
Worked ExampleA hillside Inner Corridor lot has three coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) on the buildable portion. The proposed building footprint requires removal of one oak at the southwest corner.
The packet includes a Tree Disclosure Statement listing all three oaks (species, diameter, condition), an Urban Forestry Recommendation for Protected Tree Mitigation, and Director approval for the proposed removal. The Landscape Plan shows two 36-inch box Quercus agrifolia replacement specimens located on the Site Plan, with sufficient space and irrigation. Tree protection fencing is shown at the drip line of the two retained oaks during construction. The Director approves with conditions tying the replacement species, container size, and tree-protection measures to the building permit.
Source: Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan, §5 B 4 (Oak Tree protection). Replacement schedule per §10 (Landscaping). Coordinated with the City of Los Angeles Protected Tree Ordinance through Urban Forestry.
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