Arborist Report for a Redwood City Tree Permit
Redwood City requires an arborist report with every private-tree removal application. We write reports to Redwood City's checklist, measured as RCMC Ch. 35 specifies.
What Redwood City requires
Required. Every private-property tree removal application: the city's Tree Permit Application - Submittal Requirements checklist lists an Arborist Report as a required item and states removal criteria must be identified in a written recommendation from a Certified Arborist. City Arborist may additionally require architectural plans, tree inventory (large projects/new development) or tree & landscape appraisal.
Who may write it: Certified Arborist (written report) or a TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) report. Yes - city publishes a 'Work Verified Tree Care Companies' list (https://www.redwoodcity.org/home/showpublisheddocument/23950/637660098925000000); voluntary, assures a Certified Arborist represents the company
“Removal criteria must be identified in a written recommendation from a Certified Arborist, referencing plans, estimates or signed contracts; defining scope of work for any proposed improvements, and ruling out reasonable forms of mitigation.” city application form
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Size-only, ALL species: 38" circumference (~12.1" dia); + Park & Rec Commission-designated heritage trees any size. Pruning of protected trees also requires (free) permit |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 38" circumference measured at WIDEST point between 6" and 36" above ground |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Dead/dying is an approval GROUND, not an exemption, free permit still required; true emergency: remove, then contact City Arborist within 72 HOURS for inspection + after-the-fact permit (city FAQ) |
| Permit fee | FREE; city-published processing 'normally within ten working days' |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | $500 per tree (pruning or removal) + replacement equal to appraised value of original + possible misdemeanor <=$1,000/6 mo; $500 + mitigation for permit-condition violations |
| Department | Public Works: (650) 780-7464, pws-adminsupport@redwoodcity.org (OnCamino portal) |
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 Redwood City that means measurements taken in circumference, 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 Redwood City comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Redwood City. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Redwood City arborist report
Questions about Redwood City reports
Does Redwood City accept a report from any arborist?
Certified Arborist (written report) or a TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) report Yes - city publishes a 'Work Verified Tree Care Companies' list (https://www.redwoodcity.org/home/showpublisheddocument/23950/637660098925000000); voluntary, assures a Certified Arborist represents the company
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
Dead/dying is an approval GROUND, not an exemption, free permit still required; true emergency: remove, then contact City Arborist within 72 HOURS for inspection + after-the-fact permit (city FAQ)
How much is the Redwood City permit itself?
FREE; city-published processing 'normally within ten working days' The report fee is separate.