1) Large mature trees are going to be removed
Public Works allows owners to pay a fee to avoid planting a replacement tree on their land. This means more bare lots and heat.
The 50% on-site requirement is meaningless when property owners can simply buy their way out of environmental responsibility.
See the actual amendment
34.7(b)(6) When the replacement tree or tree(s) is or are planted, the applicant shall contact the Public Works Department for an inspection of the work. The City will refund the applicant(s) its deposit for each replacement tree planted. If the applicant has not planted the replacement tree prior to the expiration of the Tree Removal Permit, the applicant forfeits his, her or its deposit to the City. The City shall place the forfeited deposit in a separate City fund to be used for the planting of trees or other tree related uses at the discretion of the City.
34.7(b)(7) If a the replacement tree does not survive for a period of two years, the applicant or current owner or lessee of the property where the replacement tree is located, shall be required to replace it with another replacement tree that complies with the provisions of this Section 34.7 or pay the City the full cost of replacing the tree at a location to be determined by the City.
2) Accountability
Public Works removed the 100' radius notification process. The city complained about the time and money needed to acquire the 100' radius maps. We've developed a free online tool that's instantaneous.
See our free radius map
Residents have the right to know what's happening in their city and not discover it after the fact. The public has a right to appeal.
3) Transparency
Public Works doesn't track what tree is being removed and what is being planted. Our trees are disappearing because Public Works and the City Council allows it. Show us the numbers—full transparency is non-negotiable.
Require visible signage for all permitted tree work—no exceptions.
Our ideas for transparency:
Public removals should be brightly marked with green safety tape and a posted removal notice.
Signs are provided by the city and loaned to contractors to posts permits. Residents immediately know the job is legitimate. No phone calls, no confusion, no wasted city resources.
For removals, the permit must display the replacement plan. This is real transparency. This is free, effortless enforcement that puts accountability where it belongs—in public sight.
4) Rushed decisions destroy 50+year investments
The city sees our trees as a liability. They need to treat them as an asset. They talk about their charm and promote their benefits but they are too quick to remove them. So let's truly protect them. Set an urban forestry management plan first.
5) Set an Urban Forestry Plan
The city council is forcing policy changes without Zone Zero regulations, without funding for an Urban Forestry Management Plan, without foundational data. This is governance by guesswork. Get the data first. Policy second.
Pines and palms provide documented ecological benefits, but without a proper Urban Forestry Plan, decisions are being made in a vacuum.
Take Action!
Step 1
Email council and demand they put a stop to this
Here are their emails:
oferguson@southpasadenaca.gov, srossi@southpasadenaca.gov, jprimuth@southpasadenaca.gov, mcacciotti@southpasadenaca.gov, jbraun@southpasadenaca.gov, ccpubliccomment@southpasadenaca.gov
And if you have writer’s block, use this form email:
Subject
I oppose the Tree Amendment
Body
Dear Council Members, I urge you to reject the proposed Tree Amendment that prioritizes developer convenience over environmental protection and community transparency. This fails our city on every level: 1. Pay-to-pollute scheme: Allowing property owners to pay a fee instead of planting replacement trees creates more bare lots and urban heat. The 50% on-site requirement is meaningless when environmental responsibility can simply be bought off. Close this loop hole. 2. Insurance Companies aren't arborists: We want homeowner to be protected from insurance denials too. Include the following in the amendment: -Attempt to find alternative insurance first -Mitigation efforts such as pruning and trimming before removal Include the above to protect homeowners and pause the rest of the amendment. 3. Zero accountability: Removing the 100' radius notification process silences residents. We've already built a free online tool that solves the "time and money" excuse—there is no reason to strip away public notice and the right to appeal. 4. No transparency: Public Works doesn't track what's being removed or what's actually replanted. Our mature trees are disappearing because no one is watching. Require visible signage for all tree work—residents deserve to know what's happening in their own neighborhoods before it's done. 5. Reckless speed: You're pushing policy changes without Zone Zero regulations, without funding for an Urban Forestry Management Plan, without foundational data. This is governance by guesswork. Get the data first. Set an Urban Forestry plan now. Policy second. Mature trees are 50+ year investments that fight heat, improve air quality, and define our city's character. You can't replace a 50-year-old oak tree with a crape myrtle sapling and call it progress. Stop this amendment. Develop an Urban Forestry Plan. Give residents transparency and a voice. Sincerely,
Step 2
Attend the City Council Meeting on Dec 17th
Show up in person at Council Chambers, located at 1424 Mission Street
Arrive at 6:50pm to fill out a public comment card (small white basket located by the left speaker podium)
Or Join the Council meeting on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82599992830
Webinar ID: 825 9999 2830. No passcode required.
Please don’t be afraid to make a comment. It doesn’t matter your age or if you're even prepared.
If you don’t like this... just say it. Just one sentence is all we need.
Read the official city documents here:
Amended Tree Ordinance (Dec 3, 2025)
See our original call to action
Save South Pasadena Trees
Have a comment to make this stronger? Want to help? Contact us: savesouthpasadenatrees@gmail.com