Construction Monitoring
The site visits and written reports cities require while work proceeds near protected trees, from fencing inspection to final sign-off.
Who this is for
- Projects with an approved tree protection plan
- Builders whose permit has a monitoring condition
- Architects and project managers
- Owners of ADU, pool and addition projects near protected trees
What you get
A pre-construction fencing inspection, scheduled site visits at the stages the city or the plan names (excavation near roots, trenching, grading, final), a dated photo report after each visit sent to you and, where required, to the city, and a final letter for sign-off. Problems are flagged the same day with the fix.
Turnaround and price
Visits within 3 business days of request; each report within 2 business days of the visit.
$375 per site visit including the written report; monthly monitoring packages from $1,100 for projects that require regular inspections; the fencing inspection and final letter are each one visit. Fees confirmed in writing (prices as of October 20, 2026). The price is confirmed before the visit; there is no charge for a phone call to decide whether you need this at all.
How this fits the city's rules
Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Hillsborough and others condition building permits on a monitoring schedule set by the approved tree protection plan; the city page and the TPP page list each city's requirement.
Request a construction monitoring
Questions
Do we need this if we already have a tree protection plan?
Usually yes. The plan is the document; monitoring is the evidence the city asks for that the plan was followed. Many cities name the inspections in the permit conditions.
Who receives the reports?
You, your contractor and, where the city requires it, the planner on the file. Reports are dated and photographed so a later dispute has a record.
What if a tree is damaged during construction?
The report documents it and states the mitigation the city's code requires, so the problem is handled before final inspection instead of at it.