Tree Permits in 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.
Last verified · fees checked · Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF
Contra Costa County (unincorporated) tree ordinance at a glance
| Code section | Contra Costa County Ordinance Code Title 8, Division 816 Trees, Chapter 816-6 Tree Protection and Preservation, secs. 816-6.2002-816-6.1208 (Ords. 94-59, 94-22; Ord. 2024-23 (12/3/2024) updated director references); Chapter 816-4 Heritage Tree Preservation (HTP) District (Ord. 88-83) for Board-designated heritage trees; Municode version May 28, 2026. A March 2025 public-review draft rewriting Ch. 816-6 and repealing Ch. 816-4 had not been codified as of that version. |
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| Protected trees | Circumference-based. (1) EVERYWHERE in the unincorporated county: a listed indigenous tree 20" or larger in circumference (approximately 6.5" diameter) at 4.5 ft that is 'adjacent to or part of a riparian, foothill woodland or oak savanna area, or part of a stand of four or more trees' (26 taxa: bigleaf maple, box elder, California buckeye, white alder, madrone, toyon, California black walnut, California juniper, tanoak, knobcone pine, Digger (gray) pine, California sycamore, Fremont and black cottonwood, coast live oak, canyon live oak, blue oak, California black oak, valley oak, interior live oak, yellow/red/arroyo willow, coast red elderberry, coast redwood, California bay); plus any tree preserved on an approved map, plan or condition of approval, and any replacement tree for an unlawfully removed tree. (2) On SPECIFIED PROPERTIES (developed commercial, professional-office or industrial parcels; ANY undeveloped property in any district; general-plan recreation or open-space areas; general-plan visually significant riparian or ridgeline vegetation where the tree is in a riparian, foothill woodland or oak savanna area): ANY species 20" or larger in circumference (approx. 6.5" diameter) at 4.5 ft, any multistemmed tree whose circumferences sum to 40" or more, and any significant grouping or grove of four or more trees (816-6.6004). Developed single-family lots: only the indigenous-species/riparian-woodland-savanna-or-stand trees are protected. Heritage trees (72" circumference or Board-designated) need a separate permit only once designated and registered by the Board (816-4.402, 816-4.602). |
| Size threshold | 20" circumference (approx. 6.5" diameter) at 4.5 ft: listed natives in riparian/woodland/savanna areas or stands of 4+ everywhere; any species on undeveloped, commercial/office/industrial, open-space or ridgeline parcels; multi-stem sum 40" circumference on those parcels 816-6.6004: 'measures twenty inches or larger in circumference (approximately 6.5 inches in diameter) as measured four and one-half feet from ground level'. The code prints the diameter equivalent as an approximation only. Applicability depends on location (riparian, foothill woodland, oak savanna, stand of four or more) and parcel type, not size alone. |
| Multi-trunk trees | On the specified properties of 816-6.6004(3) only: 'Any multistemmed tree with the sum of the circumferences measuring forty inches or larger, measured four and one-half feet from ground level' is protected (816-6.6004(2)(B)). No multi-stem rule is written for the countywide indigenous-species class. |
| Dead or hazardous trees | 816-6.1002(1) Hazardous Situation: no permit for 'Any tree whose condition creates a hazardous situation which requires immediate action as determined by the director, building inspector, sheriff, involved fire district or a utility company to protect its facilities. During off-hours, when officials described above are unavailable, the hazardous situation may be corrected and a report of the incident and description of the hazard shall be submitted to the director within ten days of the incident.' Dead or declining trees that are not an immediate hazard need the tree permit; 'the arborist report indicates that the tree is in poor health and cannot be saved' and 'the tree is in danger of falling and cannot be saved by some other means (such as pruning)' are approval factors (816-6.8010(2)(A), (C)), and a report by an arborist 'may be required' when the reasons relate to tree health (816-6.8008). Routine pruning without topping is exempt; topping (removing the upper 25% or more of the trunk or leader) needs a permit. Designated heritage trees in a hazardous condition may be removed with the zoning administrator's permission without formal application (816-4.604). |
| Fire-safety removals | A reason the city may approve a normal permit. Fire risk is an approval factor, not an exemption: a permit may be granted because 'The tree is a species known to be highly combustible and is determined to be a fire hazard' (816-6.8010(2)(E)); the only permit-free paths are an immediate hazard determined by the director, building inspector, sheriff, fire district or utility (816-6.1002(1)) and rangeland fire-risk thinning on agricultural parcels of 20 acres or more (816-6.1002(5)). source · all cities |
| Permit fee (FY 2022-23) | Land Development Fee Schedule (adopted by the Board of Supervisors May 24, 2022, effective August 10, 2022; the Planning Applications page links it as the current County Fee Schedule): S-051D Tree Permit $750 minimum deposit, time and materials; S-051F Tree Permit with Small Lot Design Review $3,000 minimum deposit, time and materials; S-051J Heritage Tree Alteration/Removal $3,000 minimum deposit plus time and materials; S-051G Heritage Tree (Appeal) $500 minimum deposit plus time and materials; S-051H Heritage Tree Nomination $500 fee per tree (per application); S-051K Heritage Tree (encroachment permit) $1,000 minimum deposit plus time and materials; S-047C/D Appeal (Zoning Administrator) $250 filing fee (general planning appeal line). The schedule's building valuation supplement notes a '7% increase effective 08/10/2022 & 5% increase effective 01/01/2025'; whether that indexing applies to the planning deposit lines is not stated. Payments only through the ePermits Center portal or in person/by mail. fee schedule |
| Permit filing by this practice | $750 flat for one tree, $600 with an arborist report or if you post the notice yourself; city fee above is extra. ePermits (Accela) General Application decided by the Director after an optional site visit; applicant supplies stamped envelopes for the County's mailed notice to adjacent owners; no posting or hearing unless appealed; $750 deposit, time and materials. Have it filed. |
| Penalties for removal without a permit | 816-6.1208: 'Violations of this chapter are punishable and may be corrected in any manner provided by this code or as otherwise allowed by law. Each tree damaged or removed in violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense.' Trees damaged or killed during construction without approval must be replaced 'with a tree or trees of equivalent size' of a species approved by the director (816-6.1206); replacement trees for unlawfully removed trees become protected trees (816-6.6004(1)(C)). Code enforcement: Notice to Comply fee two times the permit fee or $300 minimum, $150 per inspection trip (DCD FAQ). No per-tree dollar fine in Ch. 816-6. |
| Arborist report | Sometimes required. 816-6.8008: 'If the reasons for alteration or removal relate to the health of the tree or if grading, trenching or filling is proposed under the dripline of an existing tree, or the review is of a collective tree permit and the director determines that more technical expertise is necessary to make the decision, a report prepared by an arborist may be required, to be paid for by the applicant.' Approval factor 816-6.8010(2)(A) relies on 'The arborist report indicates that the tree is in poor health and cannot be saved'. Development: a tree survey is submitted with the project application (816-6.1004(b)); the 'Tree Removal and Protection Plan' is listed as a special report on the County's General Application requirements; an arborist may be required on site during grading within driplines and must report after construction (816-6.1202(2)). Who may write it: 816-6.4004: 'a person currently certified by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, as an expert on the care of woody trees, shrubs and vines in the landscape, a consulting arborist who satisfies the requirements of the American Society of Consulting Arborists or such other arborist who, after review by the director, is determined to meet the standards established for certified or consulting arborists' |
| Who to call | Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development (DCD), Community Development Division, 30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553; Planning Division (925) 655-2700; applications through the ePermits Center (aca-prod.accela.com/CCC) as a General Application 'Tree Permit' · official page |
- : Fee schedule updated (FY 2022-23): Land Development Fee Schedule (adopted by the Board of Supervisors May 24, 2022, effective August 10, 2022; the Planning Applications page links it as the current County…
Sources: library.municode.com · contracosta.ca.gov. Urban Forestry Guide is not a city line; for Contra Costa County (unincorporated) permit questions use the department above.
Does my tree need a permit in Contra Costa County (unincorporated)?
A permit is required when the tree is protected and meets the size rule. Contra Costa County (unincorporated) measures trunk circumference at 54″ above the ground.
- Listed native (oaks, bay, buckeye, madrone, sycamore, bigleaf maple, box elder, white alder, cottonwoods, willows, black walnut, juniper, tanoak, knobcone/gray pine, toyon, red elderberry, coast redwood) in a riparian, woodland or savanna area or a stand of 4+ trees: protected at 20″ circumference (adjacent to or part of a riparian, foothill woodland or oak savanna area, or part of a stand of four or more trees)
- Any species on undeveloped property, developed commercial/office/industrial property, general-plan open space or recreation land, or mapped riparian/ridgeline vegetation: protected at 20″ circumference (undeveloped parcel (incl. developed parcels with remaining development potential), commercial/office/industrial, open space/recreation, significant riparian/ridgeline areas)
- Tree preserved by an approved map, plan or condition of approval, or planted as a replacement for an unlawfully removed tree: protected at any size
- Board-designated heritage tree (Ch. 816-4): protected at any size
- Multi-trunk trees: On the specified properties only (undeveloped, commercial/office/industrial, open space, riparian/ridgeline): a multistemmed tree is protected when the circumferences of its stems add up to 40" at 4.5 ft (816-6.6004(2)(B)). No multi-stem rule for the countywide native class.
Unincorporated County only (Alamo, Blackhawk, Diablo, Kensington, El Sobrante, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Byron, etc.). Trenching, grading or filling within the dripline and topping (removing 25% or more of the trunk or leader) need the same permit as removal.
Apply at least 10 days before the work through the ePermits Center; fee S-051D Tree Permit $750 minimum deposit, time and materials (2022 schedule still linked as current); adjacent owners get mailed notice of the tentative decision; single tree permits are valid 90 days; 10-calendar-day appeal to the planning commission.
An arborist report may be required when the reason is tree health, when grading or trenching is proposed under the dripline, or for a collective permit (816-6.8008). Fire-hazard species are an approval ground, not an exemption.
A March 2025 public-review draft would shift protection to size-based thresholds, add a ministerial permit for mid-sized trees and repeal the heritage district; not adopted as of the Municode version of May 28, 2026.
Whether the 5% fee indexing effective 1/1/2025 applies to the $750 Tree Permit deposit.
Adoption status of the March 2025 draft ordinance.
Appeal fee for an 816-6 tree permit appeal.
Check my tree in the permit checker
Street trees, city-designated heritage trees and trees required by a development approval are protected at any size in every city. Trees on lot lines belong to both owners.
Does Contra Costa County (unincorporated) require an arborist report?
Sometimes. 816-6.8008: 'If the reasons for alteration or removal relate to the health of the tree or if grading, trenching or filling is proposed under the dripline of an existing tree, or the review is of a collective tree permit and the director determines that more technical expertise is necessary to make the decision, a report prepared by an arborist may be required, to be paid for by the applicant.' Approval factor 816-6.8010(2)(A) relies on 'The arborist report indicates that the tree is in poor health and cannot be saved'. Development: a tree survey is submitted with the project application (816-6.1004(b)); the 'Tree Removal and Protection Plan' is listed as a special report on the County's General Application requirements; an arborist may be required on site during grading within driplines and must report after construction (816-6.1202(2)).
Who may write it: 816-6.4004: 'a person currently certified by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, as an expert on the care of woody trees, shrubs and vines in the landscape, a consulting arborist who satisfies the requirements of the American Society of Consulting Arborists or such other arborist who, after review by the director, is determined to meet the standards established for certified or consulting arborists'. None found
“If the reasons for alteration or removal relate to the health of the tree or if grading, trenching or filling is proposed under the dripline of an existing tree, or the review is of a collective tree permit and the director determines that more technical expertise is necessary to make the decision, a report prepared by an arborist may be required, to be paid for by the applicant.” municipal code
How to get a tree removal permit in Contra Costa County (unincorporated)
- Determine whether the tree is protected (816-6.6004): on any unincorporated parcel, a listed native (oaks, bay, buckeye, madrone, sycamore, bigleaf maple, box elder, alder, cottonwoods, willows, walnut, juniper, tanoak, knobcone or gray pine, toyon, elderberry, redwood) 20 inches or more in circumference at 4.5 feet that is in or next to a riparian, foothill woodland or oak savanna area or part of a stand of four or more trees; on undeveloped property, developed commercial/office/industrial property, general-plan open space or recreation land, or mapped riparian/ridgeline vegetation, any tree 20 inches in circumference, any multistem tree whose circumferences total 40 inches, and any grove of four or more. Also protected: trees retained by a prior approval and replacement trees. Call the Planning Division at (925) 655-2700 before removing any tree or working within its dripline (DCD FAQ). source
- Check the permit exceptions (816-6.1002): an immediate hazard determined by the director, building inspector, sheriff, fire district or utility (report within 10 days if corrected off-hours); removal already approved in a development plan, subdivision, discretionary project or building permit; routine pruning without topping; Christmas tree farms, orchards and nurseries; rangeland management on agricultural parcels of 20 acres or more; utility and public-agency easement clearing. source
- Apply to DCD for a tree permit not less than ten days before the proposed removal or alteration (trenching, grading or filling within the dripline, topping, cutting down) through the ePermits Center as a General Application 'Tree Permit'; three or more eligible trees may be covered by one collective tree permit (816-6.8002). Include: number, size (height and diameter at 4.5 feet), species, location, dripline and condition of each tree; reasons; a plot plan of all trees including those to remain; method of removal; slope/creek erosion information; the owner's signature or written authorization; photographs; stamped envelopes addressed to adjacent owners for notice of the tentative decision; and fees (816-6.8004). source
- Pay the fee: S-051D Tree Permit $750 minimum deposit, time and materials ($3,000 minimum deposit with a Small Lot Design Review; $3,000 for a designated Heritage Tree alteration/removal) under the Land Development Fee Schedule (adopted 5/24/2022, effective 8/10/2022); payment only through the ePermits portal or at County offices. An arborist report at the applicant's cost may be required when the reason is tree health, when grading or trenching is proposed under the dripline, or for collective permits (816-6.8008). source
- The director reviews the application (site visit possible) against the 816-6.8010 factors: approval where the arborist report shows the tree cannot be saved, public nuisance damage to utilities or streets, danger of falling, damage to private improvements, 'a species known to be highly combustible and is determined to be a fire hazard', poor form, reasonable development that cannot be accommodated elsewhere, or weak-wooded/shallow-rooted species; denial where a healthy tree could be saved by redesign, removal would cause drainage, erosion, stability, screening or privacy problems, the tree is part of an interdependent group, neighborhood value outweighs owner hardship, or trenching alternatives exist. Adjacent owners are mailed notice of the tentative decision. source
- Decision and conditions (816-6.8012): the director grants or denies in writing, may require replacement 'on a comparable ratio of either size or quantity'; a single tree permit is valid for 90 days (renewable on request), a collective permit for a period the director sets. Any person may appeal within ten calendar days to the planning commission with jurisdiction under Chapter 26-2, stating why the decision does not meet the chapter's criteria (816-6.8014). Development projects fold the tree removal into the project approval with a tree survey, dripline fencing, arborist oversight and a two-year per-tree deposit (816-6.1004, 816-6.1202, 816-6.1204). source
| Timeline | Apply at least 10 days before the proposed work; the code sets no decision deadline; single tree permits valid 90 days (renewable); 10-calendar-day appeal period; 10 days to report an off-hours emergency removal. County page: processing time 'varies significantly depending on the complexity'; General Applications may go out for a 30-day agency comment period. “Any person proposing to trench, grade or fill within the dripline of any protected tree or cut down, destroy, trim by topping or remove any protected tree shall apply to the department for a tree permit, not less than ten days prior to the proposed tree removal or tree alterations.” source |
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| Appeal | Any person may appeal the director's decision within ten calendar days to the planning commission having jurisdiction, in writing, stating the specific reasons the decision does not meet the chapter's criteria; further appeals (to the Board of Supervisors) under Chapter 26-2. Fee schedule: S-047C/D Appeal (Zoning Administrator) $250 filing fee (general line); S-051G Heritage Tree (Appeal) $500 minimum deposit plus time and materials. “Any person may appeal the director's decision within ten calendar days of the director's decision to the planning commission having jurisdiction in accordance with Chapter 26-2. Further appeals may be made as provided by Chapter 26-2. Appeals shall be made in writing and state the specific reasons why the decision does not meet the criteria and factors for granting or denial of a permit as stated in this chapter.” source |
| Replacement | 816-6.8012: permit conditions 'may include a requirement to replace any or all trees on a comparable ratio of either size or quantity'. Construction damage: trees killed or significantly damaged without approval 'shall be replaced with a tree or trees of equivalent size and of a species as approved by the director' (816-6.1206). Development: per-tree cash deposit or security held up to two years after construction and a tree maintenance agreement (816-6.1204). No fixed ratio or in-lieu fee in the code. source |
| Forms | Planning Applications overview (General Application 'Tree Permit', ePermits Center) · General Application Checklist (fillable PDF) · ePermits Center (Accela) · Land Development Fee Schedule (adopted 5/24/2022, effective 8/10/2022) · County Code Chapter 816-6 Tree Protection and Preservation (Municode) · Tree Ordinance Update project page (March 2025 public review draft) · DCD FAQ: Do I need a permit to cut down or work within a dripline of a tree? |
Process verified October 21, 2026 against the city's code, forms and department pages.
Frequently asked questions about tree permits in Contra Costa County (unincorporated)
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in Contra Costa County (unincorporated)?
816-6.1002(1) Hazardous Situation: no permit for 'Any tree whose condition creates a hazardous situation which requires immediate action as determined by the director, building inspector, sheriff, involved fire district or a utility company to protect its facilities. During off-hours, when officials described above are unavailable, the hazardous situation may be corrected and a report of the incident and description of the hazard shall be submitted to the director within ten days of the incident.' Dead or declining trees that are not an immediate hazard need the tree permit; 'the arborist report indicates that the tree is in poor health and cannot be saved' and 'the tree is in danger of falling and cannot be saved by some other means (such as pruning)' are approval factors (816-6.8010(2)(A), (C)), and a report by an arborist 'may be required' when the reasons relate to tree health (816-6.8008). Routine pruning without topping is exempt; topping (removing the upper 25% or more of the trunk or leader) needs a permit. Designated heritage trees in a hazardous condition may be removed with the zoning administrator's permission without formal application (816-4.604).
What is the fine for removing a tree without a permit in Contra Costa County (unincorporated)?
816-6.1208: 'Violations of this chapter are punishable and may be corrected in any manner provided by this code or as otherwise allowed by law. Each tree damaged or removed in violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense.' Trees damaged or killed during construction without approval must be replaced 'with a tree or trees of equivalent size' of a species approved by the director (816-6.1206); replacement trees for unlawfully removed trees become protected trees (816-6.6004(1)(C)). Code enforcement: Notice to Comply fee two times the permit fee or $300 minimum, $150 per inspection trip (DCD FAQ). No per-tree dollar fine in Ch. 816-6.
How long does a tree removal permit take in Contra Costa County (unincorporated)?
Apply at least 10 days before the proposed work; the code sets no decision deadline; single tree permits valid 90 days (renewable); 10-calendar-day appeal period; 10 days to report an off-hours emergency removal. County page: processing time 'varies significantly depending on the complexity'; General Applications may go out for a 30-day agency comment period.
Does Contra Costa County (unincorporated) require an arborist report for a tree removal permit?
Sometimes required. 816-6.8008: 'If the reasons for alteration or removal relate to the health of the tree or if grading, trenching or filling is proposed under the dripline of an existing tree, or the review is of a collective tree permit and the director determines that more technical expertise is necessary to make the decision, a report prepared by an arborist may be required, to be paid for by the applicant.' Approval factor 816-6.8010(2)(A) relies on 'The arborist report indicates that the tree is in poor health and cannot be saved'. Development: a tree survey is submitted with the project application (816-6.1004(b)); the 'Tree Removal and Protection Plan' is listed as a special report on the County's General Application requirements; an arborist may be required on site during grading within driplines and must report after construction (816-6.1202(2)).
Can I remove a tree for fire safety in Contra Costa County (unincorporated) without a permit?
Fire hazard is a reason the city may approve a normal permit. Fire risk is an approval factor, not an exemption: a permit may be granted because 'The tree is a species known to be highly combustible and is determined to be a fire hazard' (816-6.8010(2)(E)); the only permit-free paths are an immediate hazard determined by the director, building inspector, sheriff, fire district or utility (816-6.1002(1)) and rangeland fire-risk thinning on agricultural parcels of 20 acres or more (816-6.1002(5)).
How does Contra Costa County (unincorporated) measure a tree for the permit threshold?
Trunk circumference at 54 inches above grade. Circumference at 4.5 ft (54") above ground level: 20" (approximately 6.5" diameter). Listed natives everywhere when in a riparian, woodland or savanna area or a stand of four or more; any species on undeveloped and non-residential parcels.
Tree permits in nearby cities
Danville · Lafayette · Moraga · Orinda · Pleasant Hill · Walnut Creek
Compare all 56 cities in the 56-city ordinance table, or run the permit checker.
Not sure what Contra Costa County (unincorporated) will ask for?
A 20-minute call with an ISA Certified Arborist usually settles it: permit or no permit, report or no report, and what it will cost.