Arborist Report for a Menlo Park Tree Permit
Menlo Park requires an arborist report with every private-tree removal application. We write reports to Menlo Park's checklist, measured as MPMC Ch. 13.24 specifies.
What Menlo Park requires
Required. Every nondevelopment heritage tree removal/significant-pruning permit: Step 1 and Step 2 of the city application require an arborist report from a city-approved consulting arborist written within the last 12 months, stating the primary removal criterion. Exception: 'If the heritage tree is dead or is an invasive species ... the applicant may submit pictures and label it as an arborist report.' Development-related permits, work within 10x trunk diameter, or 4+ trees trigger the full Arborist Report Checklist for Large Projects (PW rev 20230605). Code basis: 13.24.050(a) permits 'pursuant to procedures established by the public works director'; 13.24.030(c) tree protection plan 'prepared by a city-approved certified arborist.'
Who may write it: Only a named arborist on the City-approved consulting arborists list: 'City-approved arborists include only the named arborist on the list, not the company.' Checklist: 'prepared by a certified arborist who is currently identified by the City of Menlo Park as a City approved pre-qualified arborist' (ISA certification or ASCA membership number required).. Yes - 'City-approved consulting arborists list' (39 named arborists/firms, read 2026-10-09): https://menlopark.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Maintenance-Division/Trees/City-approved-consulting-arborists-list
“Complete an arborist report from a city-approved consulting arborist that is written in the last 12 months. If the heritage tree is dead or is an invasive species (as listed in the heritage tree ordinance administrative guidelines), the applicant may submit pictures and label it as an arborist report.” city department page
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Heritage: any non-oak 47.1" circumference (15" dia)+; any native California oak (genus Quercus) 31.4" circ (10" dia)+ |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 47.1" circ (15") / oaks 31.4" circ (10"), at 54" above natural grade |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Removal criteria 1-4 (dead, high/extreme risk, decline, invasive) decided on application; only APPLICANT may appeal (to City Manager, 15 days); no neighbor notice for homeowner cases |
| Permit fee | FY 26-27: $542/tree (first 3), $270 each addl |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | Up to $5,000 per tree OR tree value, whichever HIGHER (13.24.100 + fee resolution); replacement per trunk-diameter matrix or in-lieu to heritage tree fund |
| Department | Public Works, City Arborist: heritage permits (650) 330-6764; arborist (650) 330-6760 |
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 Menlo Park that means measurements taken in circumference at 54″ 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 Menlo Park comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Menlo Park. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Menlo Park arborist report
Questions about Menlo Park reports
Does Menlo Park accept a report from any arborist?
Only a named arborist on the City-approved consulting arborists list: 'City-approved arborists include only the named arborist on the list, not the company.' Checklist: 'prepared by a certified arborist who is currently identified by the City of Menlo Park as a City approved pre-qualified arborist' (ISA certification or ASCA membership number required). Yes - 'City-approved consulting arborists list' (39 named arborists/firms, read 2026-10-09): https://menlopark.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Maintenance-Division/Trees/City-approved-consulting-arborists-list
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
Removal criteria 1-4 (dead, high/extreme risk, decline, invasive) decided on application; only APPLICANT may appeal (to City Manager, 15 days); no neighbor notice for homeowner cases
How much is the Menlo Park permit itself?
FY 26-27: $542/tree (first 3), $270 each addl The report fee is separate.