Protected trees are a condition of approval in most Bay Area cities. The plan set needs a tree protection exhibit, the permit carries a monitoring schedule, and the final inspection asks for the arborist's letter. This practice handles all three and knows each city's trigger.
What you can order
- Tree Protection Plan: appraisals, protection exhibit for the plan set, one round of city revisions. $2,500 to $4,500 for a teardown, SB9 split or addition.
- Construction Monitoring: fencing inspection, staged site visits, dated photo reports, final sign-off letter. $375 per visit; monthly packages from $1,100.
- Tree Inventory: every tree tagged, measured and rated for the site plan and the protected-tree table cities ask for. $1,250 for up to 5 trees, $75 per tree after.
- Arborist Report for removals the project requires, written as the justification the city's code names. $750 to $1,250.
What cities require
The trigger differs by city: Palo Alto's T-1 standard, Menlo Park's approved-arborist list and fencing inspection, Atherton's monthly inspections with quarterly reports, Pacifica's 50-foot rule. The requirements-by-city guide lists each, and the remodel checklist covers the small projects.
Questions architects ask
Can you work from the survey and plans before the site visit?
Yes. Send the survey, the proposed footprint and any existing tree survey; the site visit confirms measurements at the height the city's code requires and fills gaps.
Will the city accept your plan?
Plans are written to the city's own standard and checklist. Menlo Park requires an arborist on its approved list; this practice is on it.
How fast?
7 to 10 business days after the site visit for a plan; monitoring visits within 3 business days of request.