Arborist Report for a Sausalito Tree Permit
Sausalito requires an arborist report with every private-tree removal application. We write reports to Sausalito's checklist, measured as SMC Ch. 11.12 Preservation of Trees and Views specifies.
What Sausalito requires
Required. Every tree removal/alteration permit application: SMC 11.12.030(A)(1)(a) requires the application to be accompanied by an arborist report; the City's Application Instructions state 'An arborist report is required for all applications' and the Arborist Report Requirements sheet prescribes its content (site plan with trunk location, DBH, height, driplines, species and appraised value; photographs; written report covering reasons, ISA appraised value, hazard, effects on neighboring vegetation and soil stability, stump/root removal, replacement suggestions). View claims also require an arborist report (11.12.040(C)(1)).
Who may write it: 'Arborist' means a certified arborist currently listed by the International Society of Arboriculture or a consulting arborist currently listed as a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (11.12.020(B)); Arborist Report Requirements: 'must be prepared by a Certified Arborist currently listed as a member by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Consulting Arborist currently listed as a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.'. None for report authors. For appeals of City Engineer decisions the City keeps 'a list of three arborists qualified to make determinations' who act as arbiters (11.12.030(H)).
“The permit application must be accompanied by an arborist report stating the need for tree removal or alteration based on the criteria set forth in subsection B of this section, and recommending protective measures for any endangered tree.” municipal code
The rule the report has to address
| Protected trees | Protected on all private property: coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) 4" DBH or larger; heritage trees (any species 10" DBH) and Council-dedicated trees. On undeveloped private property: any tree 4" DBH or larger. All trees and shrubs on City property. Seven 'undesirable' (flammable) species are never protected: blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, coast redwood, blackwood acacia, Bailey acacia, green wattle. |
|---|---|
| Size threshold | 4" DBH coast live oak (any private lot) / 10" DBH any other species on developed lots / 4" DBH any species on undeveloped lots, at 4.5 ft |
| Dead or hazardous trees | No dead-tree exemption (only 'routine pruning', the removal of dead parts, is exempt). Emergency: if personal injury or property damage is imminently threatened (likelihood of failure 'probable' or 'imminent' and risk 'high' or 'extreme' under ISA protocols) the Fire Chief, Chief of Police or City Engineer, in consultation with an arborist, may authorize removal without a permit; it must be reported to Community Development on the first business day after the work (11.12.030(F)) |
| Permit fee | Tree Permit: Protected Tree (private or public property) $1,171 first tree + $88 each additional tree (Planning); View Claim $3,602 first tree + $88 each additional; Public Works Tree Alteration/Removal Permit (City trees) $176 |
| Penalty for removal without a permit | Tree-specific penalty section 11.12.050 'Enforcement and penalties' was repealed by Ord. 07-2025; no penalty remains in Ch. 11.12 (general code enforcement provisions of the SMC apply, not reviewed). Replacement with a desirable tree or a Council-set tree replacement fee is a condition of every removal permit (11.12.030(B)(2)); construction damage to a protected tree requires replacement on the same site (11.12.030(C)(5)) |
| Department | Community Development Department, Planning Division, 420 Litho Street, Sausalito 94965 (accepts applications, issues tags/notices and permits); Planning Commission decides permits for protected trees on private developed property; City Engineer/Public Works for City-owned trees and right-of-way |
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 Sausalito 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 Sausalito comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes one. Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit.
Full city rules: Tree permits in Sausalito. Not sure the tree is protected? Run the permit checker.
Request a Sausalito arborist report
Questions about Sausalito reports
Does Sausalito accept a report from any arborist?
'Arborist' means a certified arborist currently listed by the International Society of Arboriculture or a consulting arborist currently listed as a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (11.12.020(B)); Arborist Report Requirements: 'must be prepared by a Certified Arborist currently listed as a member by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Consulting Arborist currently listed as a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.' None for report authors. For appeals of City Engineer decisions the City keeps 'a list of three arborists qualified to make determinations' who act as arbiters (11.12.030(H)).
What if my tree is dead or dangerous?
No dead-tree exemption (only 'routine pruning', the removal of dead parts, is exempt). Emergency: if personal injury or property damage is imminently threatened (likelihood of failure 'probable' or 'imminent' and risk 'high' or 'extreme' under ISA protocols) the Fire Chief, Chief of Police or City Engineer, in consultation with an arborist, may authorize removal without a permit; it must be reported to Community Development on the first business day after the work (11.12.030(F))
How much is the Sausalito permit itself?
Tree Permit: Protected Tree (private or public property) $1,171 first tree + $88 each additional tree (Planning); View Claim $3,602 first tree + $88 each additional; Public Works Tree Alteration/Removal Permit (City trees) $176 The report fee is separate.