Arborist Report for a Palo Alto Tree Permit
Palo Alto requires an arborist report with every private-tree removal application. We write reports to Palo Alto's checklist, measured as PAMC Ch. 8.10 specifies.
What Palo Alto requires
Required. Every protected tree removal permit (no-development residential, development, subdivision, planning-approval, and 'any other circumstance') is decided 'on the basis of a tree report prepared by a designated arborist' (PAMC 8.10.050(a)-(e)). Dept page: Tree Removal Permit application must include an arborist report confirming an allowable removal reason; letter-report format acceptable for 3 or fewer trees; hazard claims need a Level 2 TRAQ assessment.
Who may write it: 'Designated arborist' = ISA Certified Arborist (or other nationally recognized certification) selected by the urban forester for the city's approved list (8.10.020(d)). Interim rule on dept page: until the official list exists, any ISA certified arborist or ASCA registered consulting arborist may submit required reports.. Planned but not yet published: 'The City will be implementing a Designated Arborists list... Until the official list is established, anyone that is an ISA certified arborist or registered ASCA consulting arborist may submit any required reports' (Tree Ordinance Information page, read 2026-10-09).
“A protected tree shall not be removed unless the urban forester grants a protected tree removal permit ... having determined, on the basis of a tree report prepared by a designated arborist and other relevant information, that treatments or corrective practices are not feasible” municipal code
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Protected trees: six locally native species (bigleaf maple, CA incense cedar, coast live/blue/CA black/valley oak) 11.5"+ DBH; coast redwood 18"+; ALL other non-invasive, non-high-water-use species 15"+. Heritage = council-designated any size. 7-day posted notice before pruning protected trees (Ord. 5612) |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 11.5" / 15" / 18" DBH at 54" above natural grade |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Imminently hazardous tree may be removed in emergency without completed permit (14-day posting waived) per city FAQ; dead-but-stable trees still need permit; fees waivable for dead/hazard/storm |
| Permit fee | FY 2027 (adopted June 15, 2026): Protected Tree Removal $481.00 per removal + Record Management Fee $181.00 per file (= $662); was $460 + $174 (= $634) in FY 2026. Also: Home Improvement Exception - Trees $601/application; 2026 in-lieu fee $1,250 per 24-inch box tree (dept page). |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | $10,000 per tree OR TWICE CTLA reproduction cost, WHICHEVER HIGHER + replacement at 2x prescribed ratio + development moratorium up to 5 years (8.10.110); min replacement two 24"-box trees (TTM Table 3-1) |
| Department | Public Works, Urban Forestry Section: (650) 496-5953, trees@paloalto.gov; designated-arborist report (interim: any ISA Certified Arborist until list official) |
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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Palo Alto. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Palo Alto arborist report
Questions about Palo Alto reports
Does Palo Alto accept a report from any arborist?
'Designated arborist' = ISA Certified Arborist (or other nationally recognized certification) selected by the urban forester for the city's approved list (8.10.020(d)). Interim rule on dept page: until the official list exists, any ISA certified arborist or ASCA registered consulting arborist may submit required reports. Planned but not yet published: 'The City will be implementing a Designated Arborists list... Until the official list is established, anyone that is an ISA certified arborist or registered ASCA consulting arborist may submit any required reports' (Tree Ordinance Information page, read 2026-10-09).
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
Imminently hazardous tree may be removed in emergency without completed permit (14-day posting waived) per city FAQ; dead-but-stable trees still need permit; fees waivable for dead/hazard/storm
How much is the Palo Alto permit itself?
FY 2027 (adopted June 15, 2026): Protected Tree Removal $481.00 per removal + Record Management Fee $181.00 per file (= $662); was $460 + $174 (= $634) in FY 2026. Also: Home Improvement Exception - Trees $601/application; 2026 in-lieu fee $1,250 per 24-inch box tree (dept page). The report fee is separate.