Arborist Report for a Los Altos Tree Permit
Los Altos requires an arborist report with every private-tree removal application. We write reports to Los Altos's checklist, measured as LAMC Ch. 11.08 specifies.
What Los Altos requires
Required. Every private-property Tree Removal Permit application: Planning Division submittal checklist requires (item 3) an Arborist Report prepared by a Certified Arborist and (item 4) a Replacement Plan prepared by a Certified Arborist; Process Handout: review is initiated only when all checklist items 'including an arborist report and replacement plan prepared by a Certified Arborist' are submitted. Code LAMC 11.08.120(C) mandates the certified-arborist replacement plan with the application; 11.08.100(B) lets the approval authority additionally require an independent certified arborist report at applicant expense.
Who may write it: 'Certified Arborist' - defined in LAMC 11.08.020 as certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). None found (city states it has no replacement-tree list either)
“Arborist Report: An Arborist Report prepared by a Certified Arborist with photos of all trees proposed for removal; their species, circumference measured at 48-inches above grade, current health; and reason for recommended removal.” city application form
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Any tree 12"+ dia (38" circ); native species (24-species list: 9 oaks, buckeye, big leaf maple, madrone, Douglas fir, CA laurel, W sycamore, alders, willows, cottonwoods, redbud, Oregon ash, black walnut) 10"+; heritage trees designated/decided by Historical Commission any size |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 12" dia general / 10" natives, at 48" (FOUR FEET) above grade, deviates from 54" standard |
| Dead or hazardous trees | No self-help exemption published; dead trees still need permit + MANDATORY 1:1 replacement (24" box) within 30 days (11.08.120), sole exception: trees that caused direct structural damage |
| Permit fee | FY2026-27 Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2026), Development Services: Tree Removal Permit First Tree $314.57; Each Additional Tree $157.28; Invasive Species (subject to verification) $0.00; In-Lieu Tree Replacement Fee $1,258.29; Consulting Arborist actual cost; Appeal $1,048.57. (Input FY25-26: $306.90 / $153.45 / $1,227.60 / appeal $1,023.) |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | Misdemeanor (Ch. 1.20) + per-tree penalty: CTLA-appraised value DOUBLED if paid in cash, or equivalent replacement (11.08.160); significant pruning (>33% foliage/12 mo) = removal |
| Department | Development Services, Planning Division (650) 947-2750 |
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 Los Altos that means measurements taken in diameter 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 Los Altos comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Los Altos. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Los Altos arborist report
Questions about Los Altos reports
Does Los Altos accept a report from any arborist?
'Certified Arborist' - defined in LAMC 11.08.020 as certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) None found (city states it has no replacement-tree list either)
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
No self-help exemption published; dead trees still need permit + MANDATORY 1:1 replacement (24" box) within 30 days (11.08.120), sole exception: trees that caused direct structural damage
How much is the Los Altos permit itself?
FY2026-27 Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2026), Development Services: Tree Removal Permit First Tree $314.57; Each Additional Tree $157.28; Invasive Species (subject to verification) $0.00; In-Lieu Tree Replacement Fee $1,258.29; Consulting Arborist actual cost; Appeal $1,048.57. (Input FY25-26: $306.90 / $153.45 / $1,227.60 / appeal $1,023.) The report fee is separate.