Ventura’s Urban Forest
Ventura’s Parks Division is responsible for approximately 30,000 City trees located on public property such as parks, medians, and sidewalks. These, along with trees on private property and trees in the city’s barrancas make up the rich and varied mosaic that is Ventura’s urban forest.
Ventura’s urban forest is divided into 24 maintenance zones. Trees are pruned year-round on a zone-by-zone basis. When tree emergencies occur, tree crew personnel respond as quickly as possible.
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Ventura City Council approved an emergency ordinance which became effective immediately prohibiting the removal and trimming of trees within identified protected wildlife habitats. This ordinance only applies to trees within the protected areas.
The ordinance will remain in place while the City develops a permanent tree protection ordinance. It follows recent tree trimming and removal within a Monarch Butterfly overwintering habitat and is intended to prevent damage to sensitive habitat areas within the City.
Where the Ordinance Applies:
The ordinance prohibits trimming or removing any trees located within:
- S. Fish and Wildlife Service-designated critical habitat areas; and
- Monarch Butterfly Overwintering Sites identified in the City’s 2050 General Plan Update, adopted by the City Council on October 21, 2025.
How to Check if Your Property is in a Protected Wildlife Habitat
Residents can determine whether a tree is in a Protected Wildlife Habitat by reviewing:
- S. Fish and Wildlife Service map of Critical Habitat for Threatened & Endangered Species
- Click on “online mapper”. Use the search bar to enter your property address.
- City of Ventura 2050 General Plan Update map of Monarch Overwintering Sites
- See Figure 23 on page 188 in Chapter 8: Parks, Open Space, and Conservation.
If your property falls within one of these mapped areas, the prohibition applies. If you need assistance with the mapping tools, contact City’s Parks Division at 805-652-4550.
Exceptions Require a Permit
A property owner may qualify for one of the exceptions provided in the ordinance but must first apply for a permit before any trimming or removal of trees.
Violations of this or any provision of the ordinance will result in civil penalties up to $15,000 per tree, or occurrence, and corrective action. Contact the City’s Planning Division at 805-677-3959 to inquire which permit(s) your application for exception will require.
https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/510/Urban-Forestry
