Trimming trees in Thousand Oaks got more expensive only for those who are included in city-approved landscape plans.

When the City Council passed a $150 tree-trimming permit fee on Jan. 26, “Joe Homeowner” wasn’t affected, said community development director John Prescott.

Most residents can cut their trees any way they want without a permit as long as they aren’t landmark trees such as California sycamores, California black walnuts, California bay laurels or California hollies. And, of course, oak trees, Prescott said.

A new tree-pruning ordinance went into law on Dec. 18 to protect the beauty of the city’s trees. The ordinance prohibits trimming more than 25 percent, topping them off or “lion’s tailing” trees— a generally harmful practice of removing an excessive number of branches from the lower twothirds of a stem or branch.

With the new ordinance, those homeowners whose landscape had to be approved by the city and who want to trim more than 25 percent from the canopy or the foliage of a tree on their property are the ones who must now apply for permission and pay a permit fee.

“This is primarily for education to let people know in advance of pruning what the rules are,” Prescott said.

No requests have been made for a tree-trimming permit since the ordinance was passed, but city staff meanwhile determined the application process for special permission to trim more off a tree would require $150 worth of staff time. Anyone requesting a permit would be required to pay for that time with their application.

Thousand Oaks requires those who use a particular service to be the ones who pay for that service through permit fees.

––Nancy Needham