Arborist Report for a Pacifica Tree Permit
Pacifica requires an arborist report with every private-tree removal application. We write reports to Pacifica's checklist, measured as PMC Title 4, Ch. 12 Tree Preservation specifies.
What Pacifica requires
Required. Every standalone permit to remove a protected tree: PMC 4-12.04(a) 'An arborist's report including an ISA basic tree risk assessment form will be required for removal of a protected tree(s) needing a permit.' The city's Tree Permit Application checklist lists 'For stand alone applications: Application Fee of $256, Arborist's report and an ISA basic tree risk assessment form' and the Instructions list 'Arborist report' and 'ISA basic tree risk assessment form for removal of a protected tree(s)' as required items. For pruning and encroachment permits the report is discretionary ('may be required to provide a plot plan ... and/or an arborist's report', 4-12.05(a), 4-12.06(a)). For a tree permit connected to a building permit the Instructions require only the application form and site plan (arborist review time is billed), but a tree protection and preservation plan prepared by a qualified arborist is required for any regulated work within 50 feet of a protected tree (4-12.11).
Who may write it: 'Qualified arborist' means a person who is certified as an arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) with an active ISA certification number or a person who is a registered consulting arborist with the American Society of Consulting Arborists (4-12.02(p)). The Director may also require 'a written report from a qualified horticulturist, arborist or licensed landscape architect acceptable to the Director' (4-12.04(d)).. None found on the city page, instructions or application form.
“An arborist's report including an ISA basic tree risk assessment form will be required for removal of a protected tree(s) needing a permit.” municipal code
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Protected tree: any species with a trunk 12" DBH or greater on public or private property (4-12.02(n)(1)); heritage trees: coast live oak, valley oak, California buckeye, Monterey pine and coast redwood 12" DBH or more, toyon 4" DBH or more, plus Director-designated trees (4-12.08); groves (natural cluster of 10 or more trees of any species, minimum 6" diameter) protected as a group. Eucalyptus and Cal-IPC invasive species are not protected except in groves or as the Director determines. Street/ROW and City trees are regulated under Ch. 14 (Public Works). |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 12" DBH any species (toyon 4" DBH; grove trees 6"), at 4.5 ft / 54" above grade |
| Dead or hazardous trees | No dead-tree exemption: 'The Director or the Director's appointed City staff will assess the need for a permit related to dead/dying tree(s)' (4-12.04(a)); applications based on disease or imminent hazard get priority (4-12.04(h)); proposed decisions on dead/dying trees cannot be appealed (4-12.07(b)(1)); emergency removal only on order of the Director of Public Works or Director of Public Safety, at owner cost (4-12.09) |
| Permit fee | $264 Tree Permit (removal, encroachment or substantial trimming) not associated with a building permit; $271/hr when associated with a building permit application; Tree Permit Appeal $475 |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | Misdemeanor, fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months county jail (4-12.14(a)); violations are a public nuisance; unpermitted removal requires at least 2 replacement trees per healthy tree removed plus payment of the mature tree's replacement value minus the cost of the replacements, or full replacement value in lieu (4-12.14(c)); stop-work orders and performance security forfeiture for construction damage (4-12.11) |
| Department | Community Development Department (private-property tree permits), 1800 Francisco Blvd, treepermit@pacifica.gov, online via Digital Permit Suite; Public Works Field Services (street/ROW and City trees), 155 Milagra Dr. Decision-maker under the code is the Director of Public Works or designee (City Arborist). |
What the report contains
A signed PDF report. It states species and measurements taken the way the city's code requires, health and structural findings, and photographs. Where it matters, it gives a risk rating. The recommendation is written as the justification the city's code names, so staff can approve it without asking for more. For Pacifica 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, including the site visit, the findings the city requires and the 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 Pacifica comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Pacifica. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Pacifica arborist report
Questions about Pacifica reports
Does Pacifica accept a report from any arborist?
'Qualified arborist' means a person who is certified as an arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) with an active ISA certification number or a person who is a registered consulting arborist with the American Society of Consulting Arborists (4-12.02(p)). The Director may also require 'a written report from a qualified horticulturist, arborist or licensed landscape architect acceptable to the Director' (4-12.04(d)). None found on the city page, instructions or application form.
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
No dead-tree exemption: 'The Director or the Director's appointed City staff will assess the need for a permit related to dead/dying tree(s)' (4-12.04(a)); applications based on disease or imminent hazard get priority (4-12.04(h)); proposed decisions on dead/dying trees cannot be appealed (4-12.07(b)(1)); emergency removal only on order of the Director of Public Works or Director of Public Safety, at owner cost (4-12.09)
How much is the Pacifica permit itself?
$264 Tree Permit (removal, encroachment or substantial trimming) not associated with a building permit; $271/hr when associated with a building permit application; Tree Permit Appeal $475 The report fee is separate.