Tree Removal Permit Guide: Bay Area

Know Your City's Tree Permit Rules Before You Remove Anything

Removing a tree without a permit in the Bay Area can cost you $5,000–$20,000+ in fines, plus mandatory replacement planting and restoration expenses. Yet many homeowners don't realize they need one — or don't understand their specific city's process. The rules vary wildly across the 25 cities I cover: what's protected in Palo Alto isn't the same as Oakland, Los Gatos, or San Francisco.

This guide walks you through the entire tree removal permit process, city by city, with exact requirements, costs, and timelines.

Step 1: Determine If Your Tree Needs a Permit

Not every tree requires a permit. It depends on three factors: your city, the tree's species, and the tree's size. Use our Permit Checker to determine your specific tree's status instantly. If you prefer doing it manually:

Look up your city's protected tree thresholds. Most cities protect trees above a certain trunk diameter or circumference. For example:

• Oakland: 4 inches trunk diameter for coast live oaks
• Palo Alto: 6 inches trunk diameter (all species) or 8 inches (oaks)
• Atherton: Trees with 48-inch circumference (≈15" trunk diameter)
• San Francisco: Any tree 12 inches circumference (≈3.8" trunk diameter) near public right-of-way
• Los Gatos: 6 inches trunk diameter, with exemptions for dead/hazardous trees

See our Ordinance Comparison tool for all 25 cities' thresholds.

Confirm the tree's species. Some species are universally protected (coast live oaks, coast redwoods, valley oaks). Others are protected only in certain cities (bay laurels in Marin due to Sudden Oak Death risk). Check your specific city's list.

Measure or estimate the trunk diameter. Use a measuring tape 4.5 feet above the ground (the standard for "trunk diameter" or "DBH"). If it's below your city's threshold, you likely don't need a permit. If it's above, you do.

Step 2: Contact Your City's Planning or Public Works Department

Once you know a permit is required, contact your city to request the application. Most cities provide forms online; some still require in-person or phone requests. Here's what you'll need:

• Your property address and assessor's parcel number (APN)
• The tree's location on the property (front yard, back, side, near house, etc.)
• The tree species (if known)
• The tree's approximate trunk diameter or circumference
• The reason for removal (disease, hazard, construction, interference with utilities, etc.)

Most cities now accept online applications through their planning department websites. Some still require paper forms. Ask about submission deadlines, processing times, and required documentation when you call.

Step 3: Hire an ISA Certified Arborist and Get a Report

Nearly all Bay Area cities require an arborist report as part of the removal permit application. This is the most critical step — a poor report will get your application rejected. Here's how to do it right:

Find an arborist with city-specific experience. Don't hire based on price alone. An arborist unfamiliar with your city's specific requirements will produce a report that gets rejected, costing you $300–$600 and 2–4 weeks to revise or replace. Look for arborists who have worked in your city before. Search treesaregood.org/findanarborist for ISA Certified Arborists near you, and ask: "Have you submitted reports to [your city] before?"

Request a written fee estimate. Get bids from 2–3 arborists describing scope, number of trees, and turnaround time. Most Bay Area arborist reports cost $300–$1,500 depending on complexity. Be wary of anything under $250 — it usually indicates cutting corners.

Schedule a site visit. The arborist will inspect the tree, measure trunk diameter, assess health and structure, photograph defects, and note site conditions. Plan for 1–3 hours depending on complexity. Have your reason for removal ready to discuss — the report must justify it.

Review the draft report. Reports typically take 5–10 business days. Ask questions before submission — changes are faster and cheaper before it goes to the city. Verify it includes: trunk diameter measurement, species identification, health and structural assessment, photographs, and your city's specific requirements.

See our guide on when you need an arborist report and arborist report costs for more details.

Step 4: Complete Your City's Permit Application Form

Download your city's tree removal permit form (or request it by phone). The form typically asks for:

• Property address and APN
• Property owner's name, contact info
• Tree species and location on property
• Trunk diameter or circumference
• Reason for removal
• Contractor information (if you've already hired one)
• Proposed replanting (if required by your city)

Attach the arborist report and any other required documents (site plan, architectural drawings if construction-related, etc.). Check your city's website for a complete documentation checklist.

Step 5: Submit Your Application With the Fee

Submit your completed application and all documents to your city's planning department. Include the application fee — most cities charge $100–$500. Typical costs:

• Palo Alto: $507
• Los Gatos: $300–$500
• Oakland: $60–$120
• San Francisco: Varies by tree type
• Most other cities: $100–$300

Submission method varies by city: online portals (most common now), in-person at the planning office, or by mail. Ask when you request the application form.

Step 6: Wait for Processing and Respond to Requests

Processing times vary dramatically by city:

• Fast (2–3 weeks): Most South Bay cities (Campbell, Cupertino, Sunnyvale)
• Standard (4–6 weeks): Most Bay Area cities
• Slow (6–8 weeks): Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Atherton, Tiburon
• Variable: San Francisco (Bureau of Urban Forestry processes street trees differently)

During processing, your city may request clarifications, ask for additional arborist documentation, or request revisions to the report. Respond promptly — delays in responding extend the timeline by weeks. Common requests include: more detailed justification for removal, additional photographs, or revised recommendations.

Some cities conduct staff review meetings or forward applications to advisory commissions (common in Palo Alto and Los Gatos). These can add 2–4 weeks.

Step 7: Receive Your Permit and Schedule Work

Once approved, you'll receive a formal permit notice with:

• Permit number
• Approved scope of work (which tree, exact location)
• Timeline for completion (typically 30–180 days from approval)
• Any conditions (pre-work inspection, post-work restoration, etc.)

Now you can hire a licensed tree service and schedule the work. Some cities require pre-removal inspection or site visit approval from the planning department. Others conduct post-completion verification. Check your permit notice for specific requirements.

City-Specific Permit Guides (All 25 Cities)

Each of our 25 covered cities has a detailed permit guide with specific requirements, thresholds, fees, and contact information. Start with your city:

Peninsula (San Mateo County):
Atherton • Burlingame • Hillsborough • Menlo Park • Palo Alto • Redwood City • San Carlos • San Mateo • Woodside

South Bay (Santa Clara County):
Campbell • Cupertino • Los Altos • Los Gatos • Milpitas • Mountain View • San Jose • Saratoga • Sunnyvale

East Bay (Alameda County):
Berkeley • Oakland • Piedmont

North Bay (Marin County):
Mill Valley • San Rafael • Tiburon

San Francisco:
San Francisco

Timeline & Cost Summary

Total time from start to approval: 4–12 weeks depending on your city and application complexity.

• Arborist report: 5–10 days (plus time to hire)
• Application preparation: 3–5 days
• City processing: 2–8 weeks (varies by city)
• Possible revisions/clarifications: 1–4 weeks (if needed)

Total cost: $500–$2,500+ depending on your city and tree complexity.

• Arborist report: $300–$1,500
• Permit fee: $100–$500
• Actual tree removal service: $500–$2,000+ (separate)

Plus tree removal labor: $500–$2,000 or more for the actual removal service, depending on tree size, access, and hazard rating.

What If Your Application Gets Denied?

Denials usually happen because the arborist report doesn't adequately justify removal or doesn't address the city's specific concerns. Common reasons:

• Report lacks sufficient detail or photographs
• Justification for removal seems weak to the city
• Alternatives (pruning, risk mitigation) aren't adequately explored in the report
• Report doesn't meet the city's specific formatting or content requirements

You can appeal. Most cities allow appeals within 10–30 days of denial, typically to the planning commission or city council. Appeals often require the arborist to revise the report with additional information addressing the city's concerns.

This is why Step 4 (hiring an arborist with local city experience) is so critical. An experienced arborist anticipates what the city will require and includes it upfront, avoiding a denial and appeal in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a dead tree?

Usually yes, but some cities allow expedited removal of dead or hazardous trees. Check your city's emergency or dead tree procedures. Palo Alto has a separate dead tree permit process. Oakland allows removal of dead trees under 8 inches trunk diameter without a permit. Each city is different.

Can I remove the tree myself or must I hire a contractor?

You can hire a contractor of your choice once the permit is approved. The permit doesn't require a specific company. Just ensure whoever you hire is licensed and insured. See our guide to 5 red flags in a tree service quote for vetting contractors.

How much does a tree removal service cost?

$500–$2,000 or more depending on tree size, species, access, and site conditions. Our Cost Estimator tool provides range estimates by city and tree size.

What if my tree is on the property line?

If it's protected on either side of the property line, you likely need both jurisdictions' approval. If your property borders another city, you may need two permits. Contact both cities' planning departments.

Can I trim a protected tree without a permit?

Most cities allow routine pruning (under 30–50% crown reduction) without a permit. Severe pruning approaching removal-level cutting does require a permit. When in doubt, call your planning department or use our Permit Checker.

How do I know if an arborist is qualified?

Look for ISA Certified Arborist credentials. Verify at treesaregood.org/findanarborist. For risk assessments, look for TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification). Ask about city-specific experience before hiring.

What is trunk diameter and how do I measure it?

Trunk diameter (also called DBH — Diameter at Breast Height) is measured 4.5 feet above ground level. Use a flexible measuring tape around the trunk to get circumference, then divide by 3.14 to get diameter. Or ask your arborist to measure during their site visit.

Do other trees on my property also need permits?

Only if they're protected. Use our Permit Checker to assess each tree individually. Protected status depends on species, size, and your specific city.

How much do permit fees vary across the Bay Area?

From $60–$120 in Oakland to $507 in Palo Alto. Most cities charge $100–$300. See the specific city permit guides linked above for exact fees.

Can I get the permit expedited?

Most cities do not offer expedited processing. Processing times are set by city policy and cannot be shortened. Some cities allow rush/emergency processing for hazard trees. Check with your planning department.

What happens if I remove a tree without a permit?

Penalties: $5,000–$20,000+ city fines, plus mandatory replacement tree planting ($500–$1,000 per tree), plus possible additional penalties or restoration costs. The permit fee is always cheaper.

Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A
13+ years in Bay Area arboriculture. Permit guidance, arborist reports, and city-specific consultation across 25 cities. Request help →

Table of Contents

1. Know Your City's Tree Permit Rules Before You Remove Anything
2. Step 1: Determine If Your Tree Needs a Permit
3. Step 2: Contact Your City's Planning or Public Works Department
4. Step 3: Hire an ISA Certified Arborist and Get a Report
5. Step 4: Complete Your City's Permit Application Form
6. Step 5: Submit Your Application With the Fee
7. Step 6: Wait for Processing and Respond to Requests
8. Step 7: Receive Your Permit and Schedule Work
9. City-Specific Permit Guides (All 25 Cities)
10. Timeline & Cost Summary
11. What If Your Application Gets Denied?
12. Frequently Asked Questions