Arborist Report for a Milpitas Tree Permit
Milpitas requires an arborist report with every private-tree removal application. We write reports to Milpitas's checklist, measured as MMC Title X, Ch. 2 specifies.
What Milpitas requires
Required. For every protected-tree removal on private property, per the Planning Department's Tree Removal Checklist ('Landscape Professional Memo' covering species, approximate size, circumference at breast height, health/status, and reason for removal). The code itself (Title X Ch. 2, version Aug 4, 2026) contains no arborist-report requirement; it only requires ISA-certified appraisal for cost recovery after unlawful removal (X-2-9.01(b)).
Who may write it: A 'landscape professional' holding a City of Milpitas business license. The checklist does not use the word arborist or require ISA certification.. None found.
“The removal of any protected tree requires consultation and a memo from a landscape professional. The memo should include the tree type (species), its approximate size, circumference at breast height, health or status, and reason for its removal. The landscape professional must have a business license with the City of Milpitas to provide services.” city application form
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Developed residential: 56" circumference (17.8" dia). Commercial/industrial, vacant/undeveloped, development-approval sites: 37" circ (11.8"). Heritage: any size/species by Council resolution. Street trees protected |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 56"/37" circumference at 4.5 ft (taut tape) |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Only exception to prior approval: emergency = imminent threat of injury (X-2-5.01); dead tree alone NOT exempt |
| Permit fee | FY 2025-26 User and Regulatory Fee Schedule (Planning item 41): Tree Removal $263 (up from $256) - the figure still current as of 2026-10-09. FY 2026-27 'Schedule of User and Regulatory Fees, Effective November 2, 2026' (Planning item 45): Tree Removal $413. The FY 2026-27 Permit and Development Fee Summary (effective August 3, 2026, updated 9/4/2026) describes the Tree Removal Permit Fee as a flat fee paid at submittal but prints no amount and refers to 'Page 26 of User and Regulatory Fee Schedule'. Could not locate any schedule effective 8/3/2026 that lists $263, so the input's '$263 (adopted schedule eff. 8/3/2026)' should read: $263 per FY 2025-26 schedule; rises to $413 on 11/2/2026. |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | City cost recovery: ISA-appraised value (Guide for Plant Appraisal) + abatement costs; liens at 8% interest (X-2-9.01, X-2-13.02); replacement >=2:1 (X-2-4.02) |
| Department | Public Works administers (408) 586-2600; private removals filed via Planning (408) 586-3279 |
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 Milpitas 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 Milpitas comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Milpitas. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Milpitas arborist report
Questions about Milpitas reports
Does Milpitas accept a report from any arborist?
A 'landscape professional' holding a City of Milpitas business license. The checklist does not use the word arborist or require ISA certification. None found.
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
Only exception to prior approval: emergency = imminent threat of injury (X-2-5.01); dead tree alone NOT exempt
How much is the Milpitas permit itself?
FY 2025-26 User and Regulatory Fee Schedule (Planning item 41): Tree Removal $263 (up from $256) - the figure still current as of 2026-10-09. FY 2026-27 'Schedule of User and Regulatory Fees, Effective November 2, 2026' (Planning item 45): Tree Removal $413. The FY 2026-27 Permit and Development Fee Summary (effective August 3, 2026, updated 9/4/2026) describes the Tree Removal Permit Fee as a flat fee paid at submittal but prints no amount and refers to 'Page 26 of User and Regulatory Fee Schedule'. Could not locate any schedule effective 8/3/2026 that lists $263, so the input's '$263 (adopted schedule eff. 8/3/2026)' should read: $263 per FY 2025-26 schedule; rises to $413 on 11/2/2026. The report fee is separate.