Tree Permits in Dublin
Dublin requires a permit to remove oak, bay, cypress, maple, redwood, buckeye or sycamore at 24″; tree preserved or planted under a development approval and others at any size. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required in some cases. Permit fee from $324. Verified October 12, 2026.
Last verified · fees checked · Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF
Dublin tree ordinance at a glance
| Code section | DMC Ch. 5.60 (Heritage Tree Ordinance; Ord. 29-99, 5-02, 5-20), secs. 5.60.010-5.60.120; street trees DMC Ch. 7.56 (Ord. 3-14); ecode360 code includes legislation through 06-02-2026 |
|---|---|
| Protected trees | Heritage tree = any oak, bay, cypress, maple, redwood, buckeye or sycamore with a trunk or main stem of 24" or more in diameter at 4 ft 6 in above natural grade; PLUS any tree required to be preserved by an approved development plan, zoning/use permit, site development review or subdivision map, and any tree planted as a replacement for an unlawfully removed tree (any size). Applies to all property in the city, private and public, developed and undeveloped (5.60.030). Other species, and listed species under 24" DBH, need no city permit on private property. |
| Size threshold | 24" DBH (oak, bay, cypress, maple, redwood, buckeye, sycamore only) at 4 ft 6 in above natural grade 'Twenty-four (24) inches or more in diameter'. Only the seven listed kinds of tree are size-protected; a large pine, eucalyptus, elm, walnut, etc. is not a heritage tree unless it is a development-approval or replacement tree. |
| Multi-trunk trees | None. 5.60.040 measures 'a trunk or main stem'; the chapter has no multi-trunk or aggregate provision. |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Immediate hazard: 'Removal of a heritage tree that presents an immediate hazard to life or property, with the approval of the Director, City Engineer, Police Chief, Fire Chief or their designee' needs no permit (5.60.050(B)(1)); approval from one of those officials is still required before removal. Dead, dying or declining heritage trees otherwise go through the normal permit; tree condition is the first decision criterion (5.60.060(C)(1)) and 'a certified arborist's determination of the state of health of the heritage trees may be required' (5.60.060(A)(3)). No fee waiver for dead trees in the code or fee sheet. |
| Permit fee (FY 2026-27) | Heritage Tree Removal Permit $324 (City of Dublin Planning Division Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026; adopted by Council Resolution No. 25-26; fees rise each July 1 by the prior December CPI). Appeal filed by applicant: time and materials; appeal filed by a non-applicant: $258. The Director may require an additional deposit to retain a certified arborist to assess the trees for the city (5.60.060(A)(5)); 2% technology surcharge and 3% credit-card fee where applicable. fee schedule |
| Penalties for removal without a permit | Civil penalty equal to twice the appraised value of the tree, appraised by a city-selected arborist to industry standards, plus the city's appraisal costs; mandatory replacement with new tree(s) and/or additional plantings of the same species, size and location set by the Director (5.60.120). For development sites the tree-protection cash bond or security (based on tree valuation) is forfeited as a civil penalty for unauthorized removal (5.60.100). |
| Arborist report | Sometimes required. At the Director's discretion: 5.60.060(A)(3) 'If the tree or trees are proposed for removal because of their condition, a certified arborist's determination of the state of health of the heritage trees may be required'; and (A)(5) an additional deposit 'may be required by the Director to retain a certified arborist to assist the city in assessing the condition of the trees'. Development applications must include a landscaping plan showing all trees (5.60.060(B)) and, where a heritage tree is on a demolition/grading/building-permit site, a tree protection plan 'prepared and signed by a certified arborist' (5.60.090); the Planning Division's residential-addition checklist requires 'a copy of an arborist report with tree protection guidelines' for sites with a heritage tree. Who may write it: 'Certified arborist' means 'an arborist who is registered with the International Society of Arboriculture and approved by the Director' (5.60.040). |
| Who to call | Community Development Department, Planning Division, Dublin City Hall, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin 94568; (925) 833-6610; planningpermits@dublin.ca.gov; applications and fees through the Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal https://dublinca-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home · official page |
- : Fee schedule updated (FY 2026-27): Heritage Tree Removal Permit $324 (City of Dublin Planning Division Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026; adopted by Council Resolution No. 25-26; fees rise each July 1…
Sources: ecode360.com · dublin.ca.gov. Urban Forestry Guide is not a city line; for Dublin permit questions use the department above.
Does my tree need a permit in Dublin?
A permit is required when the tree is protected and meets the size rule. Dublin measures trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above the ground.
- Oak, bay, cypress, maple, redwood, buckeye or sycamore: protected at 24″ diameter
- Tree preserved or planted under a development approval, or a replacement tree: protected at any size
Narrow regime: only oak, bay, cypress, maple, redwood, buckeye and sycamore are size-protected. A large pine, eucalyptus, elm or walnut on private property needs no permit unless it is a development-approval or replacement tree.
Applies to all property in Dublin, public and private, developed and undeveloped (5.60.030). Street trees in the right-of-way are regulated separately under Ch. 7.56 (Public Works).
Apply through the Citizen Self Service portal; the Director decides within 10 working days of a complete application; appeal to City Council within 14 days.
Whether the CSS portal requires an arborist report upload for condition-based removals.
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 Dublin require an arborist report?
Sometimes. At the Director's discretion: 5.60.060(A)(3) 'If the tree or trees are proposed for removal because of their condition, a certified arborist's determination of the state of health of the heritage trees may be required'; and (A)(5) an additional deposit 'may be required by the Director to retain a certified arborist to assist the city in assessing the condition of the trees'. Development applications must include a landscaping plan showing all trees (5.60.060(B)) and, where a heritage tree is on a demolition/grading/building-permit site, a tree protection plan 'prepared and signed by a certified arborist' (5.60.090); the Planning Division's residential-addition checklist requires 'a copy of an arborist report with tree protection guidelines' for sites with a heritage tree.
Who may write it: 'Certified arborist' means 'an arborist who is registered with the International Society of Arboriculture and approved by the Director' (5.60.040).. None found on dublin.ca.gov; code requires Director approval of the arborist.
“If the tree or trees are proposed for removal because of their condition, a certified arborist's determination of the state of health of the heritage trees may be required;” municipal code
How to get a tree removal permit in Dublin
- Confirm the tree is a heritage tree: an oak, bay, cypress, maple, redwood, buckeye or sycamore 24 inches or more in diameter at 4 ft 6 in above natural grade, or a tree preserved/planted under a development approval or as a replacement tree (5.60.040). Street trees in the right-of-way are handled under Ch. 7.56 by Public Works. source
- Apply through the Citizen Self Service portal; 'Heritage Tree Removal' needs no separate Planning Application form, the project information is entered directly in the portal (Planning Applications page). Pay the non-refundable Heritage Tree Removal Permit fee ($324, FY 2026-27). source
- Provide what 5.60.060(A) requires: a drawing showing all existing trees and the location, type and size of each tree to be removed; a brief statement of the reason; a certified arborist's health determination if required (condition-based removals); written consent of the owner of record; any additional deposit for a city-retained arborist; other information the Director requires. Development entitlements also need a landscaping plan with precise location, size, species and drip-line of all trees plus grades and structures (5.60.060(B)). source
- The Director inspects the property and decides within 10 working days of a complete application on the 5.60.060(C) criteria (condition, danger of falling, proximity to structures and utilities; necessity for reasonable development; erosion and drainage; neighbourhood trees, shade, privacy, scenic beauty); the permit may be granted, denied or conditioned, including planting one or more replacement trees of a designated species, size and location. Removals tied to a development entitlement are decided by the entitlement's final decision body at the same time as the entitlement. source
- Appeal (if needed) to the City Council within 14 days of the written decision; otherwise remove the tree and plant any required replacement. For demolition, grading or building permits on a site with a heritage tree, file a certified-arborist tree protection plan before permit issuance and post a security based on tree value (5.60.080-5.60.100). source
| Timeline | Director decision within 10 working days after receipt of a complete application (5.60.060(C)); concurrent with the entitlement decision for development removals. Appeal: 14 days to file; placed on the next regular Council agenda with at least 5 calendar days' notice to the appellant (5.60.070). No published city turnaround beyond the code; permit validity period not stated. “The Director shall render a decision regarding the permit within ten (10) working days after the receipt of a complete application.” source |
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| Appeal | Any Director decision under the chapter may be appealed to the City Council by a written, signed appeal stating the reasons, filed with the City Clerk within 14 days of written notification of the decision, with the appeal fee set by Council resolution (FY 2026-27: applicant appeals billed time-and-materials; non-applicant appeals $258); the Clerk places it on the next regular Council agenda with at least 5 calendar days' notice; conducted under DMC 1.04.050; Council decision final (5.60.070). “Appeals shall be in writing, shall be signed by the applicant, shall state the reasons the appeal is made, and be filed with the City Clerk within fourteen (14) days of written notification of the decision by the Director.” source |
| Replacement | 5.60.060: 'The Director or the reviewing body having final authority over the development may grant or deny the application or grant the application with conditions, including the condition that one (1) or more replacement trees be planted of a designated species, size and location.' No fixed ratio or in-lieu fee in the code. Unlawful removals: replacement with new tree(s) and/or additional plantings of the same species, size and location set by the Director (5.60.120). source |
| Forms | Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal - Heritage Tree Removal application (no paper form) · Planning Applications page (lists Heritage Tree Removal as a portal-only application; (925) 833-6610) · Planning Division Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026 (Heritage Tree Removal Permit $324) |
Process verified October 12, 2026 against the city's code, forms and department pages.
Frequently asked questions about tree permits in Dublin
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in Dublin?
Immediate hazard: 'Removal of a heritage tree that presents an immediate hazard to life or property, with the approval of the Director, City Engineer, Police Chief, Fire Chief or their designee' needs no permit (5.60.050(B)(1)); approval from one of those officials is still required before removal. Dead, dying or declining heritage trees otherwise go through the normal permit; tree condition is the first decision criterion (5.60.060(C)(1)) and 'a certified arborist's determination of the state of health of the heritage trees may be required' (5.60.060(A)(3)). No fee waiver for dead trees in the code or fee sheet.
What is the fine for removing a tree without a permit in Dublin?
Civil penalty equal to twice the appraised value of the tree, appraised by a city-selected arborist to industry standards, plus the city's appraisal costs; mandatory replacement with new tree(s) and/or additional plantings of the same species, size and location set by the Director (5.60.120). For development sites the tree-protection cash bond or security (based on tree valuation) is forfeited as a civil penalty for unauthorized removal (5.60.100).
How long does a tree removal permit take in Dublin?
Director decision within 10 working days after receipt of a complete application (5.60.060(C)); concurrent with the entitlement decision for development removals. Appeal: 14 days to file; placed on the next regular Council agenda with at least 5 calendar days' notice to the appellant (5.60.070). No published city turnaround beyond the code; permit validity period not stated.
Does Dublin require an arborist report for a tree removal permit?
Sometimes required. At the Director's discretion: 5.60.060(A)(3) 'If the tree or trees are proposed for removal because of their condition, a certified arborist's determination of the state of health of the heritage trees may be required'; and (A)(5) an additional deposit 'may be required by the Director to retain a certified arborist to assist the city in assessing the condition of the trees'. Development applications must include a landscaping plan showing all trees (5.60.060(B)) and, where a heritage tree is on a demolition/grading/building-permit site, a tree protection plan 'prepared and signed by a certified arborist' (5.60.090); the Planning Division's residential-addition checklist requires 'a copy of an arborist report with tree protection guidelines' for sites with a heritage tree.
How does Dublin measure a tree for the permit threshold?
Trunk diameter (DBH) at 54 inches above grade. Diameter at 4 ft 6 in (54") above natural grade; 24" or more, listed species only.
Tree permits in nearby cities
Berkeley · Fremont · Hayward · Oakland · Piedmont · Pleasanton
Compare all 45 cities in the 45-city ordinance table, or run the permit checker.
Not sure what Dublin 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.