Arborist Report for a San Anselmo Tree Permit
San Anselmo requires an arborist report with every private-tree removal application. We write reports to San Anselmo's checklist, measured as SAMC Title 4, Ch. 13 Private Trees, 4-13.01 to 4-13.08 specifies.
What San Anselmo requires
Required. Every tree work permit (heritage tree, undeveloped-parcel tree or street tree): the Public Works page, the FAQ and the Supplemental Questionnaire for Tree Work Permit all state that an arborist's report and photographs are required before the application is complete. The code is narrower: 4-13.06(a) lets Public Works require 'such other pertinent information as the Public Works Department may require which may include a discussion of the need for the work by a qualified arborist', and the Parks Department Arborist may secure 'such expert advice deemed necessary' before deciding. A report verifying the tree is dead, dying or dangerous lets the Town approve immediately and may waive the fee.
Who may write it: Code: 'a qualified arborist' (4-13.06(a)), undefined. Town page and questionnaire: 'An arborist's report', credential not specified. The Town charges $250 per hour for its own 'Arborist Site Visit and Arborist Report' (FY 2026-27 fee schedule).. None found on the Public Works Permits page, FAQ or questionnaire.
“An arborist's report and photograph of the tree(s), as well as a Tree Supplemental Questionnaire are required prior to this application being complete. Application must include at least one photo showing the context of the tree or application may be deemed incomplete.” city application form
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Developed parcels: 'heritage trees' only, any species with a trunk 22 inches diameter at breast height (4.5 ft) or a Council-designated tree; acacia and any Council-designated 'nuisance' tree are never heritage trees (Town lists acacia, eucalyptus, plum, privet, Monterey pine, and administratively liquidambar, as nuisance trees needing no permit). Undeveloped parcels (lots that can be further subdivided or developed): any 'tree', meaning any woody plant with at least one trunk of 7 inches DBH. Permit covers removal, destruction, pruning or root cutting that endangers or shortens the tree's life, and raising the soil level; the Town defines permitted pruning as removal of less than 25 percent of the foliage. Street trees need a Public Works permit under Ch. 9. |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 22" DBH any species on developed lots (heritage tree) / 7" DBH any tree on undeveloped lots, at 4.5 ft |
| Dead or hazardous trees | No dead-tree exemption in the code; tree condition (disease, danger of falling) is a decision factor (4-13.06(a)(1)). Emergency: 'In the event of any emergency in which a particular tree or heritage tree causes an immediate hazard or dangerous condition, such tree may be removed or cut back by permission of the Public Works Director, the Chief of Police, or Chief of the Fire Department or their respective department representatives without following the above described permit procedure' (4-13.06(b)). Town page: a tree verified by an arborist report to be dead, dying or dangerous can typically be approved immediately, and the fee may be waived. |
| Permit fee | Tree Removal Fees: Heritage Tree and/or Undeveloped Parcel Tree $325 for the first hour, hourly rate thereafter, per permit ('For dead, dying or dangerous trees fee may be waived. Replacement trees may required for each tree removed.'); Street Tree $195.70 per permit (removal and planting); After-the-fact Tree or Heritage Tree Removal Fine $2,370.03 per tree; Arborist Site Visit and Arborist Report $250 per hour (Public Works); Appeals: Planning Applicant $3,749, Non-Applicant $1,000, General $1,000 (Finance and Administration lines 4-6). |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | 'Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty either of an infraction or a misdemeanor shall be subject to the penalties prescribed by this Code' (4-13.08). Fee schedule: 'After the fact - Tree or Heritage Tree Removal Fine $2,370.03 Per tree Penalty $2,050 Maximum as determined by the Public Works Director' (FY 2026-27). No appraisal-based penalty or replacement formula in the chapter. |
| Department | Department of Public Works, 525 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo 94960; (415) 258-4616 (Public Works, per the tree questionnaire; Engineers (415) 258-4634); applications online through the Town's permit portal; the Parks Department Arborist decides after inspection; appeals to the Town Council |
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 San Anselmo 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 San Anselmo comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in San Anselmo. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a San Anselmo arborist report
Questions about San Anselmo reports
Does San Anselmo accept a report from any arborist?
Code: 'a qualified arborist' (4-13.06(a)), undefined. Town page and questionnaire: 'An arborist's report', credential not specified. The Town charges $250 per hour for its own 'Arborist Site Visit and Arborist Report' (FY 2026-27 fee schedule). None found on the Public Works Permits page, FAQ or questionnaire.
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
No dead-tree exemption in the code; tree condition (disease, danger of falling) is a decision factor (4-13.06(a)(1)). Emergency: 'In the event of any emergency in which a particular tree or heritage tree causes an immediate hazard or dangerous condition, such tree may be removed or cut back by permission of the Public Works Director, the Chief of Police, or Chief of the Fire Department or their respective department representatives without following the above described permit procedure' (4-13.06(b)). Town page: a tree verified by an arborist report to be dead, dying or dangerous can typically be approved immediately, and the fee may be waived.
How much is the San Anselmo permit itself?
Tree Removal Fees: Heritage Tree and/or Undeveloped Parcel Tree $325 for the first hour, hourly rate thereafter, per permit ('For dead, dying or dangerous trees fee may be waived. Replacement trees may required for each tree removed.'); Street Tree $195.70 per permit (removal and planting); After-the-fact Tree or Heritage Tree Removal Fine $2,370.03 per tree; Arborist Site Visit and Arborist Report $250 per hour (Public Works); Appeals: Planning Applicant $3,749, Non-Applicant $1,000, General $1,000 (Finance and Administration lines 4-6). The report fee is separate.