Tree Permits in Fremont
Fremont requires a permit to remove native species at 10″ diameter; any species at 18″ diameter; any tree on a vacant, underdeveloped or development-project lot at 6″ diameter; 1 more protected class. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required in some cases. Permit fee see fee schedule. Verified October 9, 2026.
Last verified · fees checked · Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF
Fremont tree ordinance at a glance
| Code section | FMC Ch. 18.215 (Tree Preservation); FMC 12.30 (street trees) |
|---|---|
| Protected trees | Protected: natives (oak, redwood, buckeye, madrone, sycamore, big-leaf maple, redbud, bay) 10" DBH or more; ANY species 18" DBH or more; any tree 6" DBH or more on vacant, underdeveloped or development-project lots, or in a grove of 6+ of the same species; landmark trees (Council-designated) any size. Exemption: developed R-1 lots of 10,000 sq ft or less, trees behind the front face of the house (confirm current text). |
| Size threshold | 10" DBH (natives) / 18" DBH (any species) / 6" DBH (vacant, underdeveloped or development lots), at 4.5 ft |
| Multi-trunk trees | Per DBH definition (18.215.030) |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Standard free permit process; landmark removals need Council hearing filed 90 days ahead (18.215.160) |
| Fire-safety removals | No special treatment. Fremont's ordinance has no defensible-space exemption; a protected tree may be removed without a permit only when fire department personnel actively fighting a fire, a city official or the landscape architect determine immediate removal is necessary to prevent imminent injury or property damage (FMC 18.215.050(c)(4)). Conditions: Normal free permit (18.215.110, 15-day lead); 18.215.070(a)(1) supports removal where the tree 'is in danger of falling and injuring persons or causing substantial damage to property' and cannot be made safe. source · all cities |
| Permit fee | FREE (18.215.110(a)(1)); only required arborist-report cost billed; city-published turnaround 2-4 weeks 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. Free online Property Owner application with photos; landscape architect decides after staff inspection; no notice or posting. Have it filed. |
| Penalties for removal without a permit | Administrative fines $250 first / $750 second / $1,000 third+ per tree + restitution/mitigation (18.215.200(c)); street trees per 12.30.180 |
| Arborist report | Sometimes required. At staff discretion: FMC 18.215.110(a)(3)(D) lets the landscape architect require, 'when appropriate, a report by an arborist selected by the city' for non-development private protected-tree removals; 18.215.120 (development pending/contemplated) likewise: '(E) When required by the landscape architect, a report by an arborist selected by the city'. The applicant pays the report cost via advance deposit (18.215.110(a)(1)). The online Property Owner application asks for photos, not a report. Who may write it: 'an arborist selected by the city'; 'Arborist' defined in 18.215.030 as a person with at least three years' experience certified by and in good standing with the ISA |
| Who to call | Urban Forestry Section: treepermits@fremont.gov, (510) 494-4730 · official page |
Sources: codepublishing.com · fremont.gov. Urban Forestry Guide is not a city line; for Fremont permit questions use the department above.
Does my tree need a permit in Fremont?
A permit is required when the tree is protected and meets the size rule. Fremont measures trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above the ground.
- Native species (oak, redwood, buckeye, madrone, sycamore, big-leaf maple, redbud, bay): protected at 10″ diameter
- Any species: protected at 18″ diameter
- Any tree on a vacant, underdeveloped or development-project lot: protected at 6″ diameter (vacant / underdeveloped / development lot)
- Council-designated landmark tree: protected at any size
Groves of 6 or more of the same species are protected at 6" DBH regardless of lot type.
Exemption for developed R-1 lots of 10,000 sq ft or less (trees behind the front face of the house): confirm the current text of FMC 18.215 before relying on it.
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 Fremont require an arborist report?
Sometimes. At staff discretion: FMC 18.215.110(a)(3)(D) lets the landscape architect require, 'when appropriate, a report by an arborist selected by the city' for non-development private protected-tree removals; 18.215.120 (development pending/contemplated) likewise: '(E) When required by the landscape architect, a report by an arborist selected by the city'. The applicant pays the report cost via advance deposit (18.215.110(a)(1)). The online Property Owner application asks for photos, not a report.
Who may write it: 'an arborist selected by the city'; 'Arborist' defined in 18.215.030 as a person with at least three years' experience certified by and in good standing with the ISA. City publishes an 'Approved Tree Contractors' list (required for street-tree work), not an approved arborist list
“There shall be no fee charged for the application except for the cost of any required arborist's report, for which an advance deposit of the estimated cost shall be made.” municipal code
How to get a tree removal permit in Fremont
- Determine which application applies: the City's page says a permit is needed in most cases to prune or remove a tree in your front yard, and always to remove, prune or plant a tree near a sidewalk or street or to remove a tree on a lot over 10,000 square feet; street-tree work may only be applied for and performed by an Approved Tree Contractor, while private trees use the Property Owner application. Trees that are part of a development or construction project are handled through the Planning Department (510-494-4440) instead. source
- Submit the online 'Property Owner Tree Permit Application (Private Tree)' at https://www.fremont.gov/government/departments/urban-forestry/tree-permits/property-owner-tree-permit-application: owner contact, tree address and location, species, number of trees, the removal criterion claimed (hazard, dead/dying, diseased, overcrowded, utility damage, concrete/property damage, irreparable damage), whether a development application is pending, and up to three photos (whole tree with leaves, trunk structure, root structure); businesses, apartments and HOAs with multiple removals attach a Tree Removal & Replacement List with a corresponding Tree Survey Plan. The permit is free. source
- Under FMC 18.215.110 the application must be made at least 15 days before the proposed removal date and must include the number, size, species and location of the protected trees, a written explanation, a time schedule, a written mitigation proposal (replacement tree size/species/location or in-lieu payment), and written authorization for City staff to enter the property to inspect; there is no application fee except an advance deposit for any arborist report the landscape architect requires. source
- The City landscape architect reviews the application (and, when appropriate, a report by a City-selected arborist and a tree survey), then issues a written decision with reasons, granting the permit subject to mitigation conditions under 18.215.080 or denying it in whole or part; the decision and a notice that it is appealable are mailed to the applicant. source
- Plant the required mitigation: one 24-inch box replacement tree per tree removed (a 15-gallon tree for a single-family home), of a species and in a location approved by the City, or pay the in-lieu fee where the lot cannot accommodate replacement. source
- Landmark trees (City Council-designated, 18.215.130) require City Council authorization after a noticed public hearing; apply through the landscape architect at least 90 days before the proposed removal with a fee, inspection/report deposit and an extensive mitigation proposal (18.215.160). source
| Timeline | Department page: 2-4 week turnaround target (allow the full 4 weeks). Code: applications must be filed at least 15 days before the proposed removal date (90 days for landmark trees). No posting or public notice period for private protected trees; notice is mailed only for an appeal hearing (10 days). “The Urban Forestry Section attempts to provide a 2-4 week turnaround, but please allow the full 4 weeks before reaching out to check on the application's status.” source |
|---|---|
| Appeal | Only the applicant may appeal the landscape architect's decision, to the City Council, by written appeal filed with the City Clerk within 10 days after the decision is mailed; the decision is final as to all other persons. At least 10 days' mailed notice of the de novo appeal hearing goes to the applicant and contiguous/across-street owners. “The appeal shall be made in writing and filed in the office of the city clerk no later than 10 days after mailing of the decision of the landscape architect.” source |
| Replacement | FMC 18.215.080(a)(1): 'Required mitigation for each tree removed shall be the planting of one 24-inch box replacement tree, except for a single-family home a 15-gallon replacement tree shall be planted, of a species and in a location approved by the person or entity imposing mitigation requirements under this chapter. When, because of lot size, configuration or development, the property cannot fully accommodate the mitigation ... the applicant shall pay the city a fee in lieu of on-site replacement for each tree that is not replaced on site. The amount of the fee shall be equal to the per unit cost to the city for a planted 24-inch box tree as established by the city's last award of a contract following a competitive bid for such work.' Mitigation may be waived or reduced where removal benefits the urban forest or the cost is disproportionate (18.215.080(b)). The online form states City staff ultimately select the replacement species. source |
| Forms | Property Owner Tree Permit Application (Private Tree) - online form · Approved Contractor Tree Permit Application (Street Tree) - online form · Tree Permits page (criteria, timeline, contact: treepermits via (510) 494-4730) |
Process verified October 9, 2026 against the city's code, forms and department pages.
Tips from an ISA Certified Arborist
Check your species and size first: Fremont's protection is species-specific below 18 inches DBH, but any tree 18 inches DBH or larger is protected regardless of species. Native oaks and sycamores in Niles Canyon and Mission San Jose hills are almost always protected. Development-condition trees in Warm Springs are protected regardless of species or size. An arborist report is required only when the city requests one; the free online application to Urban Forestry is the standard first step.
Arborist Notes: Fremont
Ninety square miles, several different forests
Fremont runs from the Bay marshes to the Mission Peak ridgeline. I have worked on Warm Springs palms and Niles Canyon valley oaks in the same week; different trees, different rules. Flat Centerville lots have little in common with Niles Canyon or Mission Peak hillside parcels.
Niles Canyon natives and the 10-inch rule
Niles Canyon holds some of the finest native sycamore and valley oak in southern Alameda County. When I assess trees there I often find specimens that could qualify for landmark designation but were never nominated. Treat every mature native as protected. Oak, redwood, buckeye, madrone, sycamore, big-leaf maple, redbud and bay are protected at 6 inches DBH at 4.5 feet; any species at 18 inches.
Newer developments and the back-yard exemption
On a developed single-family lot of 10,000 square feet or less, trees behind the front face of the house are exempt. Front-yard trees are not. Vacant, underdeveloped or pending-development lots drop to 6 inches for every species. Warm Springs Innovation District buyers inherit front-yard trees planted to satisfy development conditions. Check with Urban Forestry before removing any tree there.
When to call me
The permit is free. The landscape architect may require a report by an arborist selected by the city, billed to you through a deposit. Mine does not replace it. It tells you before applying whether removal is likely, whether a landmark hearing looms, or whether pruning solves the problem.
Fremont neighborhoods: canopy, fire exposure and species
Tap a neighborhood for canopy cover, fire and pest exposure, and common species. Permit facts shown here come from the verified table above.
Select a neighborhood to explore its canopy profile.
Frequently asked questions about tree permits in Fremont
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in Fremont?
Standard free permit process; landmark removals need Council hearing filed 90 days ahead (18.215.160) (verified 2026-10-09)
What is the fine for removing a tree without a permit in Fremont?
Administrative fines $250 first / $750 second / $1,000 third+ per tree + restitution/mitigation (18.215.200(c)); street trees per 12.30.180 (verified 2026-10-09)
How long does a tree removal permit take in Fremont?
Department page: 2-4 week turnaround target (allow the full 4 weeks). Code: applications must be filed at least 15 days before the proposed removal date (90 days for landmark trees). No posting or public notice period for private protected trees; notice is mailed only for an appeal hearing (10 days). (verified 2026-10-09)
Does Fremont require an arborist report for a tree removal permit?
Sometimes required. At staff discretion: FMC 18.215.110(a)(3)(D) lets the landscape architect require, 'when appropriate, a report by an arborist selected by the city' for non-development private protected-tree removals; 18.215.120 (development pending/contemplated) likewise: '(E) When required by the landscape architect, a report by an arborist selected by the city'. The applicant pays the report cost via advance deposit (18.215.110(a)(1)). The online Property Owner application asks for photos, not a report. (verified 2026-10-09)
Can I remove a tree for fire safety in Fremont without a permit?
No special treatment in the ordinance. Fremont's ordinance has no defensible-space exemption; a protected tree may be removed without a permit only when fire department personnel actively fighting a fire, a city official or the landscape architect determine immediate removal is necessary to prevent imminent injury or property damage (FMC 18.215.050(c)(4)). (verified 2026-10-09)
How does Fremont measure a tree for the permit threshold?
Trunk diameter (DBH) at 54 inches above grade. 10" DBH (natives) / 18" DBH (any species) / 6" DBH (vacant, underdeveloped or development lots), at 4.5 ft (verified 2026-10-09)
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Fremont?
It depends on size, species, and lot status. Under FMC 18.215.050(a), a permit is required to remove any tree 18 inches or more in DBH (trunk diameter at 4.5 feet above natural grade; multi-trunk trees are measured by adding all trunks); any native tree or tree of exceptional adaptability 10 inches DBH or more; any tree 6 inches DBH or more on a vacant or underdeveloped lot or on a lot with a pending development application; any tree the city required as mitigation or as a condition of development approval; and any one of six or more same-species trees on a lot that are each 6 inches DBH or more. Exception: on a developed single-family (R-1 or equivalent) lot of 10,000 square feet or less, trees behind the front face of the house are exempt from the permit and mitigation requirements unless they are landmark trees or city-required plantings (FMC 18.215.050(c)(1)). Landmark trees designated by City Council have the strictest protections.
What trees are protected in Fremont?
Fremont's tree preservation ordinance (FMC Ch. 18.215) protects native trees, defined in FMC 18.215.030 as oak, redwood, buckeye, madrone, sycamore, big-leaf maple, red-bud, and bay native to the San Francisco Bay Area, and trees of exceptional adaptability to the Fremont area (Fremont cottonwood, California pepper, European olive, black walnut, and deodar cedar, plus others on a list kept on file with the city) at 10 inches DBH or larger. Any tree of any species 18 inches DBH or larger is also protected, as are 6-inch+ trees on vacant or underdeveloped lots or lots with pending development applications and groves of six or more same-species trees. Trees planted as conditions of development approval and landmark trees are also protected regardless of size.
What is a landmark tree in Fremont?
Landmark trees are designated by City Council resolution based on historic significance, community importance, visual prominence, or other special qualities. Removal of a landmark tree requires City Council approval after a public hearing, with the application filed at least 90 days before the proposed removal (FMC 18.215.160).
What is the replacement requirement for protected trees?
When a protected tree is approved for removal, the property owner must plant a 24-inch box replacement tree (or a 15-gallon tree for single-family residential properties) or pay an in-lieu fee equivalent to the cost of a 24-inch box tree. The city specifies preferred species for replacement.
Do I need a permit to prune a tree in Fremont?
Standard pruning of private trees on developed residential lots generally does not require a permit. However, pruning that significantly alters the form or health of a protected tree, particularly native oaks, may trigger permit requirements. When in doubt, contact Fremont's Urban Forestry Section (treepermits@fremont.gov, (510) 494-4730) before major pruning work.
What about street trees in Fremont?
In Fremont, the adjacent property owner, not the city, is responsible for maintaining street trees: FMC 12.30.200(a) requires the owner of a lot fronting a public street to maintain the street trees along that frontage, and FMC 12.30.230 confirms the city has no mandatory maintenance duty. You still cannot plant, prune (beyond minor incidental trimming), or remove a street tree without a street tree permit (FMC 12.30.040-.070).
Tree permits in nearby cities
Berkeley · Dublin · Hayward · Oakland · Piedmont · Pleasanton
Compare all 56 cities in the 56-city ordinance table, or run the permit checker.
Not sure what Fremont 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.