Arborist Report for a Berkeley Tree Permit
Berkeley does not require a report by rule, but a report is what settles contested or borderline cases. We write reports to Berkeley's checklist, measured as BMC Ch. 6.52 specifies.
What Berkeley requires
Not required. No arborist report required. The city's 'Coast Live Oak Pruning or Removal Exemption' form (for private property) asks only for applicant/tree address, exception type (pruning >25% or removal), reason for request, and site access; City staff/City Manager designee decides. BMC 6.52.010(C) places the danger finding on the City Manager or designee.
Who may write it: N/A (not required).
“Exceptions to this ordinance must be approved by the City Manager or their designee.” city application form
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Coast live oak ONLY: single stem >=18" circumference; multi-stem >=26" aggregate. NO other private species regulated. Public/street/park trees protected via 12.44 |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 18" circumference single / 26" aggregate, at 4 FEET (48") above ground |
| Dead or hazardous trees | No dead-tree exemption; City Manager must find potential danger to life or limb BEFORE removal (6.52.010(C)), request via Coast Live Oak form to trees@berkeleyca.gov |
| Permit fee | No permit system exists (no fee); street-tree permits via Parks |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 and/or 6 months, each day separate (BMC 1.20.010); street trees: infraction (12.44.090); 1:1 CLO replacement only in affordable-housing exception |
| Department | Parks, Recreation & Waterfront, Forestry: (510) 981-6660, trees@berkeleyca.gov |
What the report contains
Written report (PDF) with species and measurements taken as the city's code requires, health and structural findings, photographs, risk rating where relevant, and recommendations that state the justification the city needs to see. For Berkeley that means measurements taken in circumference at 48″ above grade, the species identified against the city's protected list, the condition and structural findings, and the removal justification the code names, with replacement proposed as the code requires.
Price and turnaround
$750 to $1,250 for one to three trees (site visit, report with the city's required findings, replacement plan); multi-parcel and development reports from $1,650; responses to city comments $350 per round. Reports are delivered 7 to 10 business days after the site visit; responses to Berkeley comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Berkeley. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Berkeley arborist report
Questions about Berkeley reports
Does Berkeley accept a report from any arborist?
N/A (not required)
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
No dead-tree exemption; City Manager must find potential danger to life or limb BEFORE removal (6.52.010(C)), request via Coast Live Oak form to trees@berkeleyca.gov
How much is the Berkeley permit itself?
No permit system exists (no fee); street-tree permits via Parks The report fee is separate.