Tree Removal Permits in Contra Costa County: 7 Jurisdictions Compared
One sentence per city, generated from the verified dataset. Click through for the full rule, the process and the fire-safety route.
Dataset version 2026-10-21 · 7 cities · by Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF
7 jurisdictions in Contra Costa County, each with its own ordinance. 2 always require an arborist report with a removal application. Permit fees run from $85 (Walnut Creek) to $750 (Contra Costa County (unincorporated)). Each city page has the code section, the fee schedule, the process and the fire-safety rule.
| City | The rule in one sentence | Permit fee | Arborist report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contra Costa County (unincorporated) | Contra Costa County (unincorporated) requires a permit to remove listed native in a riparian and others at 20″; any species on undeveloped property and others at 20″; tree preserved by an approved map and others at any size; 1 more protected class. Measured as trunk circumference at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required in some cases. Permit fee from $750. Verified October 21, 2026. | from $750 | Sometimes |
| Danville | Danville requires a permit to remove 12 protected native species at 10″; any single-trunk tree 36″ diameter or more at 36″; memorial tree on public property at any size. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required in some cases. Permit fee from $249. Verified July 31, 2026. | from $249 | Sometimes |
| Lafayette | Lafayette requires a permit to remove native species on a developed lot at 12″; native species on an undeveloped lot at 6″; any other species on an undeveloped lot at 12″; 2 more protected classes. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required in some cases. Permit fee from $350. Verified July 31, 2026. | from $350 | Sometimes |
| Moraga | Moraga requires a permit to remove native tree at 5″; orchard tree planted for commercial agriculture at 5″; council-designated tree of historic significance at 5″. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 36″ above grade. Arborist report required in some cases. Permit fee from $280. Verified October 21, 2026. | from $280 | Sometimes |
| Orinda | Orinda requires a permit to remove native oaks on a developed parcel at 12″; any tree on a vacant or undeveloped parcel or at 6″; native riparian tree at 4″. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required with the application. Permit fee from $197. Verified October 9, 2026. | from $197 | Required |
| Pleasant Hill | Pleasant Hill requires a permit to remove native oak or indigenous tree at 9″; non-native tree at 18″. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required with the application. Permit fee from $166. Verified October 9, 2026. | from $166 | Required |
| Walnut Creek | Walnut Creek requires a permit to remove any species at 28″. Measured as trunk circumference at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required in some cases. Permit fee from $85. Verified July 31, 2026. | from $85 | Sometimes |
Every cell comes from the verified 56-city dataset (CSV and JSON available there). Each city page links the code section and source.
Need a report a Contra Costa County city will accept?
Written to the city's own checklist by an ISA Certified Arborist who does not sell tree work.