Arborist Report and Consulting Prices
An arborist report for a Bay Area tree permit costs $750 to $1,250 for one to three trees in 2026. National figures of $250 to $400 do not reflect what Bay Area cities require in a permit report; 21 of 56 cities always require one with a removal application, so there the report is a fixed cost of the permit. Every price below is the one we quote, and what changes the number is explained under the table.
| Service | Typical price | Turnaround | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arborist Report | $750 to $1,250 for one to three trees, including the site visit, the findings the city requires and the replacement plan. Multi-parcel and development reports from $1,650. Responses to city comments $350 per round. Permit filing with the report $600 | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Tree removal permit applications |
| Tree Permit Filing | $750 flat for one tree. $600 when booked with an arborist report from this practice, or when you post the notice and meet the inspector yourself. Additional trees on the same application $100 each. City permit fees are paid at cost and listed separately. Cities whose routine permits go to a hearing (Belvedere, East Palo Alto, Fairfax, Hillsborough, Mill Valley, Sausalito) are quoted after a call; hearings and appeals $175 per hour | Filed within 5 business days of the signed authorization; the city's review period after that, which the city page states | Homeowners told they need a permit to remove or prune a protected tree |
| Tree Risk Assessment | $650 to $850 for a single tree with a written risk opinion; about $1,250 for five trees across adjoining parcels; $75 per additional tree added on site | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Leaning, cracked or storm-damaged trees |
| Tree Protection Plan | $2,500 to $4,500 for a teardown, SB9 lot split or addition. Includes tree appraisals, a tree protection exhibit ready for the plan set, and one round of city revisions. $85 per tree beyond 12. 50% deposit at acceptance | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Remodels, additions, ADUs and pools near protected trees |
| Site Consultation & Second Opinion | $375 to $450 for a site visit, a verbal walk-through and a short email summary. The higher figure includes a one-page written opinion. A written report from the same visit adds $400. A desk review from photos and documents is $250 | Visit within 7 days of the deposit; email summary the same week | A tree-work quote over $5,000 you want checked |
| Dispute & Appraisal Reports | $850 to $2,500 for appraisal and expert reports depending on tree count and audience; expert witness and court time $250 per hour | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Neighbor cut or damaged your tree |
| Real Estate Tree Assessments | $850 for an inspection with tree documentation and permit mapping on a typical lot; $1,650 for multi-parcel inventories of 10 to 20 trees; single hazard tree $650 to $850 | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Sellers preparing disclosures |
| Tree Inventory & Risk Management Plan | $1,250 for up to 5 trees, $75 per additional tree, following the risk-assessment schedule; a 60-tree community is about $5,400. Written management plan included; annual re-inspection from $1,800 (see Annual Inspection Program). Fees confirmed in writing before the visit | 10 to 15 business days after the site visit; larger sites scheduled in phases | HOAs and condominium associations |
| Construction Monitoring | $375 per site visit including the written report; monthly monitoring packages from $1,100 for projects that require regular inspections; the fencing inspection and final letter are each one visit. Fees confirmed in writing | Visits within 3 business days of request; each report within 2 business days of the visit | Projects with an approved tree protection plan |
| Annual Inspection Program | From $1,800 per year for communities already inventoried by this practice (up to 60 trees); larger sites quoted per tree. Storm-season check from $650. Fees confirmed in writing | Scheduled annually; report within 10 business days of the visit | HOAs and property managers |
Terms
- Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit. Site consultations are paid when you book. Reports take a 50% deposit when you accept the proposal and the balance on delivery. Pay by Zelle or Venmo.
- Site visits are scheduled within 7 days of the deposit.
- Written reports are delivered 7 to 10 business days after the site visit. A 48-hour turnaround is available for single-tree reports at a surcharge agreed in advance.
- Responses to city plan-check or Planning comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes a revision round. Trees added on site beyond the proposal are $75 to $85 each.
- Court or deposition time arising from a report is billed at $250 per hour.
- The city's own permit fee is separate; it is listed on each city page.
What moves the price
- Purpose. A permit application needs the city's checklist items; an insurance or dispute report needs causation and valuation sections. The purpose, not the tree count, is the largest factor.
- Tree count and access. One tree in a front yard is the base price. Inventories of ten or more trees are quoted per tree.
- City. Cities with templates or approved-arborist rules (Hillsborough, Menlo Park) and cities with multi-prong tests (San Francisco) take longer to document.
- Speed. Rush work is possible on single-tree reports; see Terms.
Prices are the author's current rates and are confirmed in writing before any visit.
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