Arborist Report for a Oakland Tree Permit
Oakland does not require a report by rule, but a report is what settles contested or borderline cases. We write reports to Oakland's checklist, measured as OMC Ch. 12.36 specifies.
What Oakland requires
Not required. Not required by OMC 12.36.080(C) (non-development) or 12.36.090 (development): applicant submits a site plan showing location, species and dbh of protected trees plus a written compliance certification; the City Tree Reviewer evaluates (e.g., 12.36.050(B)(4) value 'measured by the Tree Reviewer using the criteria established by the International Society of Arboriculture'). The only 'arborist' mention in Ch. 12.36 is the Monterey pine removal notice. Department application page makes no mention of an arborist report.
Who may write it: N/A (not required). None found
“All applicants for tree removal permits shall provide a site plan as specified by the city. All such site plans shall indicate the location, species, and dbh of all protected trees which are proposed for removal.” municipal code
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) ONLY: 4" DBH. ANY other species (native or not): 9" DBH, EXCEPT eucalyptus (entire genus) and Monterey pine exempt (Monterey pine: protected on city property & development removals >5/acre; posting+notice still required) |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 4" DBH (CLO) / 9" DBH (others), at 4.5 ft |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Only immediate-threat emergency allows removal without permit, report by NEXT BUSINESS DAY (12.36.130); dead-but-stable tree still needs permit; narrow exemptions 12.36.140 |
| Permit fee | FY 26-27 (eff. 7/1/2026): $579.06 non-development (1-10 trees); $747.81 development; + ~14.75% technology surcharge; decision within 20 working days of application (12.36.080(K)) after >=20-working-day comment period |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | INFRACTION + replacement trees/fees NOT TO EXCEED ISA-appraised value + full investigation/enforcement costs (lien-backed) (12.36.150); generic admin civil penalties cap $1,000/day, $365,000/yr/parcel (OMC 1.08.060.B). Claremont case: $915,135.40 TOTAL for 38 trees (Res. 91118 C.M.S.), not per-tree |
| Department | Public Works, Tree Services Division: treeremovalpermits@oaklandca.gov, (510) 615-5934 (Online Permit Center) |
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 Oakland that means measurements taken in diameter 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 Oakland comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Oakland. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Oakland arborist report
Questions about Oakland reports
Does Oakland accept a report from any arborist?
N/A (not required) None found
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
Only immediate-threat emergency allows removal without permit, report by NEXT BUSINESS DAY (12.36.130); dead-but-stable tree still needs permit; narrow exemptions 12.36.140
How much is the Oakland permit itself?
FY 26-27 (eff. 7/1/2026): $579.06 non-development (1-10 trees); $747.81 development; + ~14.75% technology surcharge; decision within 20 working days of application (12.36.080(K)) after >=20-working-day comment period The report fee is separate.