Arborist Report for a Ross Tree Permit
Ross requires an arborist report with every private-tree removal application. We write reports to Ross's checklist, measured as Ross Municipal Code Chapter 12.24 Planting, Alteration, Removal, or Maintenance of Trees specifies.
What Ross requires
Required. Every Tree Alteration or Removal Permit application must include 'Justification for the removal of each tree proposed to be removed including a certified arborist's report describing the tree's condition and structure, unless waived by the town' (12.24.080(1)(d)); the Town's fact sheet (rev. 10/5/22): 'Applications for tree alteration/removal permits must include a completed tree alteration/removal application and a certified arborist report.' Development: a tree protection plan with a certified arborist's report is required where Significant or Protected trees may be impacted, mandatory for Hillside Lot and Hazard Zone Use Permits and at staff/Council discretion for subdivisions, variances, demolition, design review, grading and building permits (12.24.100). The Town Arborist reviews applications and 'If there is a conflict between arborists regarding the condition or structure of a tree, the town arborist's decision shall control' (12.24.080(4)). The Public Works Director may waive the report.
Who may write it: 'Certified arborist' means a person 'currently certified as an "arborist" by the International Society of Arboriculture, or who is a currently a member or registered consulting arborist of the American Society of Consulting Arborists' (12.24.020(2)). None; the Town retains its own Town Arborist for review
“Justification for the removal of each tree proposed to be removed including a certified arborist's report describing the tree's condition and structure, unless waived by the town;” municipal code
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Species-neutral, size and location based. IMPROVED parcels (with a habitable structure): a 'Protected tree' is any tree with a diameter greater than 8" located within 25 ft of the front or side yard property line or within 40 ft of the rear yard property line, plus any replacement tree or tree planted in a required yard setback under a Council-approved landscape plan; a 'Significant tree' is any tree with a single trunk diameter greater than 12" anywhere on the parcel, or any tree designated to be preserved on Council-approved plans or as a condition of approval (12.24.020(9), (11); 12.24.070). UNIMPROVED parcels: any tree 6" in diameter or greater (12.24.060). Public right-of-way: all trees greater than 6" (12.24.040). 'Alter' (excessive pruning over 25% of the crown, grade changes, trenching in the root zone, etc.) is regulated like removal. 'Fire hazard' trees (fire-authority designation, a listed fire-prone species such as acacia, bamboo, arborvitae, California bay, bishop/Coulter/gray/knobcone/Monterey/Scots/Torrey pine, cedars, cypress, Douglas fir, blue gum and red gum eucalyptus, false cypress, junipers, larch, spruces, yew, or any tree within 5 ft of a house or structure) still need the permit but qualify for the 'fire hazards' approval criterion and the reduced hazardous-tree fee. |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | Improved parcel: greater than 8" diameter within 25 ft of front/side or 40 ft of rear property line, or single trunk greater than 12" anywhere; unimproved parcel: 6" or greater; all at 4 ft 6 in (54") |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Dead, dying and hazardous trees still need a Tree Alteration or Removal Permit, at a reduced fee ($278 for up to 3 'Dead, Dying, and/or Town Identified Hazardous Trees', $62 each additional; $0 in the right-of-way; Town Fee Schedule eff. 7/1/2026); tree condition (general health, damage, disease, danger of falling, proximity or damage to structures, utility interference) and 'fire hazards' are approval criteria (12.24.080(2)(a), (d)); trees in poor condition or creating a hazard to a building need only 2" of replacement trunk diameter (12.24.080(4)(c)). EMERGENCY: 'In the event of an emergency, when such tree poses an imminent threat to life or property, a peace officer or firefighter in their official capacity may exempt a property owner from a Tree Alteration or Removal Permit requirement in the absence of the Public Works Director. The Public Works Director shall be promptly notified of the nature of the emergency and action taken.' (12.24.070(3); same for unimproved parcels 12.24.060(3) and right-of-way 12.24.040(6)). Owners have a duty to keep trees safe and to secure or support a dangerous tree (12.24.030). |
| Permit fee | Town Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2026), Public Works: Tree removal permit - First three trees $552; Each additional tree $104; Dead, Dying, and/or Town Identified Hazardous Trees - Up to 3 $278; Each additional tree (dead/dying/hazardous) $62; Dead, Dying, and/or Town Identified Hazardous Trees in Right-Of-Way $0; Tree destruction (Muni code Chapter 12.24) $1,000 per day; Public Works hourly rate $285. In Lieu Tree Fee: $250 per one inch of tree replacement diameter; $500 for a tree determined to be in poor condition or creating a hazard to a building or other structure, as determined by a certified arborist. Planning: Appeal to Town Council $5,015 (general planning appeal line; tree-permit appeals go to the Council under Ch. 18.60). Fact sheet: application fees are nonrefundable and 'based on the current fee schedule in effect at the time of application submittal'. |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | 12.24.120: violation is a public nuisance; civil penalty 'one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day for each such action and day the violation occurs' (owner and contractor), capped at $100,000 per incident lasting 100 days or more, exclusive of administrative, attorney and arborist costs; or alternatively the appraised value of the tree (CTLA Guide for Plant Appraisal); remedial pruning and replacement per 12.24.080(4); unpaid amounts become a lien; the Town Council sets the penalty at a public hearing and may accept replanting as correction; a violating contractor forfeits the Town business license for two years. Fee schedule: 'Tree destruction (Muni code Chapter 12.24) $1,000 per day'; after-the-fact planning applications 3x fee. |
| Department | Town of Ross Public Works Department, 31 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (P.O. Box 320), Ross, CA 94957; (415) 453-1453, Option 4; David Kelley, Interim Public Works Director, dkelley@townofrossca.gov; counter hours Mon-Thu 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon; applications through the eTRAKiT Community Portal or the Public Works counter |
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 Ross 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. Permit filing with the report $600. Reports are delivered 7 to 10 business days after the site visit; responses to Ross comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Ross. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Ross arborist report
Questions about Ross reports
Does Ross accept a report from any arborist?
'Certified arborist' means a person 'currently certified as an "arborist" by the International Society of Arboriculture, or who is a currently a member or registered consulting arborist of the American Society of Consulting Arborists' (12.24.020(2)) None; the Town retains its own Town Arborist for review
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
Dead, dying and hazardous trees still need a Tree Alteration or Removal Permit, at a reduced fee ($278 for up to 3 'Dead, Dying, and/or Town Identified Hazardous Trees', $62 each additional; $0 in the right-of-way; Town Fee Schedule eff. 7/1/2026); tree condition (general health, damage, disease, danger of falling, proximity or damage to structures, utility interference) and 'fire hazards' are approval criteria (12.24.080(2)(a), (d)); trees in poor condition or creating a hazard to a building need only 2" of replacement trunk diameter (12.24.080(4)(c)). EMERGENCY: 'In the event of an emergency, when such tree poses an imminent threat to life or property, a peace officer or firefighter in their official capacity may exempt a property owner from a Tree Alteration or Removal Permit requirement in the absence of the Public Works Director. The Public Works Director shall be promptly notified of the nature of the emergency and action taken.' (12.24.070(3); same for unimproved parcels 12.24.060(3) and right-of-way 12.24.040(6)). Owners have a duty to keep trees safe and to secure or support a dangerous tree (12.24.030).
How much is the Ross permit itself?
Town Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2026), Public Works: Tree removal permit - First three trees $552; Each additional tree $104; Dead, Dying, and/or Town Identified Hazardous Trees - Up to 3 $278; Each additional tree (dead/dying/hazardous) $62; Dead, Dying, and/or Town Identified Hazardous Trees in Right-Of-Way $0; Tree destruction (Muni code Chapter 12.24) $1,000 per day; Public Works hourly rate $285. In Lieu Tree Fee: $250 per one inch of tree replacement diameter; $500 for a tree determined to be in poor condition or creating a hazard to a building or other structure, as determined by a certified arborist. Planning: Appeal to Town Council $5,015 (general planning appeal line; tree-permit appeals go to the Council under Ch. 18.60). Fact sheet: application fees are nonrefundable and 'based on the current fee schedule in effect at the time of application submittal'. The report fee is separate.