Tree Permits in Orinda
Orinda requires a permit to remove native oaks on a developed parcel at 12″ diameter; any tree on a vacant or undeveloped parcel or at 6″ diameter; native riparian tree at 4″ diameter. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required with the application. Permit fee from $197. Verified October 9, 2026.
Last verified · fees checked · Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF
Orinda tree ordinance at a glance
| Code section | OMC Ch. 17.21 (Tree Management; through Ord. 25-07, 1/13/2026) |
|---|---|
| Protected trees | Developed parcels: 7 native oak species (valley, coast live, black, white/Garry, canyon, blue, interior live) >=12" dia. Vacant/undeveloped or downtown districts: ANY tree >=6" (unless Disallowed Plant List). Native riparian: 4" single (or multi-trunk combined cross-section = 4" stem). Restitution & condition-of-approval trees any size |
| Size threshold | 12" (oaks, developed) / 6" (any, vacant/downtown) / 4" (riparian), at 4.5 ft measured by trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade Diameter at 4.5 ft above natural grade (Schedule 17.21.2) |
| Multi-trunk trees | Riparian: combined cross-sectional area equal to single 4" stem |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Exceptions incl. hazardous/dangerous condition requiring immediate action; emergency removals when ordered by fire official, PW Director, Parks Director or City Manager; insurance-required removals EXEMPT from permit entirely (Ord. 25-03, 5/6/2025: 17.21.3.B.7) |
| Fire-safety removals | Exempt when the conditions are met. No tree permit is needed when the removal is required by the Moraga-Orinda Fire District for Fire Code compliance, ordered by a fire official in an emergency, or required to obtain or keep insurance, provided the fire district's or insurer's documentation is given to the Planning Department (OMC 17.21.3.B.2, B.5, B.7). Conditions: A Moraga-Orinda Fire District notice or communication identifying the trees that must be removed for Fire Code compliance (or an insurer's written requirement, or a fire-official emergency order). The exception does not relieve other requirements such as an encroachment permit or easement restrictions. source · all cities |
| Permit fee (FY 2026-27) | Tree Removal Permit: First Tree (including Heritage Tree) $197.00; Each Additional Tree $63.00; Replacement with tree removal permit per OMC 17.21.5.F.2 $125.00/tree; Restitution for trees removed in violation $1,179.00/tree; marked '+' = 10% General Plan Update surcharge plus Permit Technology Fee surcharge apply. (Application form PDF, dated 07/2023 page, still shows the older $194/$62 + 13% surcharge.) Emergency Tree Removal Letter: no fee. 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. Electronic-only submittal with arborist report and Statement of Findings; Director inspects and decides, City mails the 300-ft notice; referral to the Planning Commission is discretionary. Have it filed. |
| Penalties for removal without a permit | Title 19: infractions $100/$250/$500; misdemeanor <=$1,000/6 mo; admin civil penalties (default $1,000/violation, each day separate); restitution: TWO 24"-box trees per 6" of removed trunk diameter or in-lieu $1,179/tree (17.21.8-.9) |
| Arborist report | Required. City application form and July 2026 Tree Ordinance Handout list an Arborist Report as a submittal requirement for every Tree Removal Permit (both Type I standalone and Type II development-associated). Code text itself is softer: OMC 17.21.4.B says the application 'shall contain other supplemental information as may be necessary ... such as the written recommendation of a professional arborist', and 17.21.4.D decision factors reference 'evidence from a certified arborist' and 'as determined by an arborist report'. Emergency Tree Removal Letter (permit exemption, no fee) also requires a certified arborist determination of imminent danger (city FAQ). Development near protected trees: arborist report/recommendation required when grading or construction is within 10 ft of a protected tree's dripline (handout). Who may write it: 'certified arborist' (application form); code defines 'Professional arborist' as ISA Certified Arborist or a person the Director determines is equally qualified (OMC 17.21.2) |
| Who to call | Planning Department (925) 253-4210 · official page |
- : Fee schedule updated (FY 2026-27): Tree Removal Permit: First Tree (including Heritage Tree) $197.00; Each Additional Tree $63.00; Replacement with tree removal permit per OMC 17.21.5.F.2 $125.00/tree;…
Sources: cityoforinda.gov · library.municode.com · cityoforinda.org. Urban Forestry Guide is not a city line; for Orinda permit questions use the department above.
Does my tree need a permit in Orinda?
A permit is required when the tree is protected and meets the size rule. Orinda measures trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above the ground.
- Native oaks on a developed parcel (valley, coast live, black, white, canyon, blue, interior live): protected at 12″ diameter (developed parcel)
- Any tree on a vacant or undeveloped parcel or in the downtown districts: protected at 6″ diameter (vacant / downtown)
- Native riparian tree: protected at 4″ diameter (riparian)
Diameter measured at 4.5 ft above natural grade (Schedule 17.21.2).
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 Orinda require an arborist report?
Yes. City application form and July 2026 Tree Ordinance Handout list an Arborist Report as a submittal requirement for every Tree Removal Permit (both Type I standalone and Type II development-associated). Code text itself is softer: OMC 17.21.4.B says the application 'shall contain other supplemental information as may be necessary ... such as the written recommendation of a professional arborist', and 17.21.4.D decision factors reference 'evidence from a certified arborist' and 'as determined by an arborist report'. Emergency Tree Removal Letter (permit exemption, no fee) also requires a certified arborist determination of imminent danger (city FAQ). Development near protected trees: arborist report/recommendation required when grading or construction is within 10 ft of a protected tree's dripline (handout).
Who may write it: 'certified arborist' (application form); code defines 'Professional arborist' as ISA Certified Arborist or a person the Director determines is equally qualified (OMC 17.21.2). none found on Planning Department page, handout, or application
“2. Arborist Report. A written recommendation from a certified arborist that discusses the species, size, location, and health of the tree(s) proposed for removal.” city application form
How to get a tree removal permit in Orinda
- Confirm the tree is protected (e.g., native oak 12 in. or more diameter on a developed parcel; any tree 6 in. or more on a vacant or Downtown parcel; native riparian tree 4 in. or more) and check the permit exceptions in OMC 17.21.3.B (hazard requiring immediate action, fire-official/MOFD orders, insurance-required removals, etc.), for which you instead submit the authority's documentation to the Planning Department. source
- Prepare the Tree Removal Permit application (Planning Application form plus Tree Removal Permit pages, rev. 07/2023) with an arborist report, a site plan showing property lines, structures, the trees to be removed and any replacement vegetation, a Statement of Findings responding to the Type I or Type II standards, and a Landscape Water Efficiency Checklist if applicable; applications are accepted only electronically through the Application Submittal portal (all files PDF). source
- After submittal, staff emails an invoice; pay by check or online credit card. The adopted FY 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule lists Tree Removal Permit $197.00 first tree and $63.00 each additional tree (the 07/2023 application form shows $194/$62 plus a 13% surcharge and a $213 mailing fee); processing does not start until payment is received. source
- The application is assigned to a staff planner; the Director inspects the tree, reviews the application, may require additional information, and may refer the application to the Planning Commission (OMC 17.21.4.C). source
- The decision-maker approves or disapproves the permit on the 17.21.4.D factors (Type II also on 17.21.5.D), and may condition it on replacement per 17.21.5.F.2 or relocation of the tree; a Type II permit is valid only upon issuance of the building permit for the development project. source
- A Type I permit is valid for one year from issuance unless a longer period is stated, and is void if work has not begun by then; a Type II permit is valid for the same period as the building or grading permit (OMC 17.21.4.F, 17.21.5.H). source
| Timeline | No published timeline specific to tree removal permits in OMC 17.21 or on the application. The city's Planning Applications page says Zoning Administrator projects average 1-3 months from submittal to approval and that, once an application is deemed complete, a 10-day public notice is mailed to properties within 300 feet of discretionary applications; the tree permit application includes a $213 mailing fee. “On average, a Zoning Administrator project can take 1-3 months from submittal to approval. For Planning Commission projects, the average processing time can take 2-4 months.” source |
|---|---|
| Appeal | OMC 17.21.6 sends appeals to Chapter 17.43: any interested person (including residents, Council or Commission members, and city officials) may appeal within 10 calendar days of the decision; Zoning Administrator decisions are heard de novo by the Planning Commission and Planning Commission decisions by the City Council; an appeal fee set by Council applies. “An appeal of a decision under this title must be filed on or before the tenth calendar day after the decision is made, even if written findings are ratified after the date the decision is made.” source |
| Replacement | OMC 17.21.5.F (applied to Type I permits as a condition under 17.21.4.E): for each six inches or fraction thereof of the aggregate diameter of trees approved for removal, plant one native tree with a diameter of at least 0.75 inches; one-third of the requirement may be met with native shrubs maturing at 5 feet or more; if the site cannot accommodate the trees, plant them elsewhere in Orinda with approval or pay an in-lieu fee of $125.00 per replacement tree (also listed in the FY 2026-27 fee schedule as 'Replacement with tree removal permit, as per OMC 17.21.5.F.2, per tree $125.00'). source |
| Forms | Tree Removal Permit Application (Planning Application form + Tree Removal Permit submittal requirements and standards, rev. 07/2023) · Tree Ordinance Handout (July 2026) · Application Submittal portal (electronic submittal only) · Adopted Master Fee Schedule FY 2026-27 (Res. 28-26) |
Process verified October 9, 2026 against the city's code, forms and department pages.
The Permit Process: Step by Step
Determine if your tree is protected
Check if it's one of the seven listed native oaks on a developed parcel (12"+ diameter at 4.5 feet), any tree 6"+ on a vacant, undeveloped, or downtown parcel, a native riparian tree (4"+), or a restitution or development-approval tree (any size). Contact Planning at (925) 253-4210. Check if any permit exceptions apply (hazardous condition, MOFD requirement).
Get an arborist assessment
An ISA Certified Arborist report or written statement is required for most protected tree removals. The report should document species, size, health, and removal justification.
Apply for Category I or II permit
Submit the tree removal permit application to the Orinda Planning Department. Include the arborist report, site photos, and replacement plan. Insurer-required removals are exempt from the permit under Ordinance 25-03; submit insurer documentation to the Planning Department instead.
Planning Department review
Staff reviews the application, potentially with a site visit. The code sets no fixed review period; call Planning at (925) 253-4210 for current turnaround. Heritage oaks may require additional review.
Receive approval and plant replacements
Approved permits include conditions for replacement planting. Comply within the specified timeframe. The city may inspect for compliance.
Arborist Notes: Orinda
Insurance letters and oaks near the roof
I have worked with multiple Orinda homeowners who received non-renewal notices citing trees within 30 feet of the roofline. Since Ordinance 25-03 in May 2025, a removal your insurer requires is exempt from the tree permit. Exempt is not the same as wise. A protected oak near the house still deserves a real evaluation first.
Sleepy Hollow and Orinda Woodlands terrain
Lots here often carry 20 to 40 protected oaks, and driveways can climb 200 feet from the street. Removal means rigging, hand-carried gear or a crane. On a developed lot the seven listed native oaks are protected at 12 inches in diameter at 4.5 feet. On vacant or downtown parcels, any tree at 6 inches.
MOFD inspections and heritage oaks
Moraga-Orinda Fire District inspections are the most thorough I have encountered. Lots bordering Briones, Tilden and the ridgelines above Sleepy Hollow face the most clearance pressure. Crown raising, ladder fuel removal and understory clearing usually meet the fire goal without removing oaks. Settle the plan with the inspector before cutting; a clearance removal is exempt only if a fire official orders it.
When to call me
Orinda asks for an arborist report with every tree removal permit. An Emergency Tree Removal Letter, which skips permit and fee, needs a certified arborist to find imminent danger. Grading or construction within 10 feet of a protected tree's dripline also calls for a report.
Orinda 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 Orinda
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in Orinda?
Exceptions incl. hazardous/dangerous condition requiring immediate action; emergency removals when ordered by fire official, PW Director, Parks Director or City Manager; insurance-required removals EXEMPT from permit entirely (Ord. 25-03, 5/6/2025: 17.21.3.B.7) (verified 2026-10-09)
What is the fine for removing a tree without a permit in Orinda?
Title 19: infractions $100/$250/$500; misdemeanor <=$1,000/6 mo; admin civil penalties (default $1,000/violation, each day separate); restitution: TWO 24"-box trees per 6" of removed trunk diameter or in-lieu $1,179/tree (17.21.8-.9) (verified 2026-10-09)
How long does a tree removal permit take in Orinda?
No published timeline specific to tree removal permits in OMC 17.21 or on the application. The city's Planning Applications page says Zoning Administrator projects average 1-3 months from submittal to approval and that, once an application is deemed complete, a 10-day public notice is mailed to properties within 300 feet of discretionary applications; the tree permit application includes a $213 mailing fee. (verified 2026-10-09)
Does Orinda require an arborist report for a tree removal permit?
Required. City application form and July 2026 Tree Ordinance Handout list an Arborist Report as a submittal requirement for every Tree Removal Permit (both Type I standalone and Type II development-associated). Code text itself is softer: OMC 17.21.4.B says the application 'shall contain other supplemental information as may be necessary ... such as the written recommendation of a professional arborist', and 17.21.4.D decision factors reference 'evidence from a certified arborist' and 'as determined by an arborist report'. Emergency Tree Removal Letter (permit exemption, no fee) also requires a certified arborist determination of imminent danger (city FAQ). Development near protected trees: arborist report/recommendation required when grading or construction is within 10 ft of a protected tree's dripline (handout). (verified 2026-10-09)
Can I remove a tree for fire safety in Orinda without a permit?
Exempt from the permit when the conditions are met. No tree permit is needed when the removal is required by the Moraga-Orinda Fire District for Fire Code compliance, ordered by a fire official in an emergency, or required to obtain or keep insurance, provided the fire district's or insurer's documentation is given to the Planning Department (OMC 17.21.3.B.2, B.5, B.7). (verified 2026-10-09)
How does Orinda measure a tree for the permit threshold?
Trunk diameter (DBH) at 54 inches above grade. 12" (oaks, developed) / 6" (any, vacant/downtown) / 4" (riparian), at 4.5 ft (verified 2026-10-09)
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Orinda?
Yes. Orinda protects the seven listed native oak species (valley, coast live, black, white, canyon, blue, and interior live oak) on developed parcels at 12-inch or greater trunk diameter at 4.5 feet above ground, and native riparian trees at 4-inch trunk diameter. On vacant/undeveloped parcels and Downtown-district parcels, any tree 6 inches or more in diameter is protected (unless on the Disallowed Plant List), and trees planted as restitution or required by a development approval are protected at any size. Category I or Category II permits are required through the Planning Department at (925) 253-4210.
What is Orinda's tree protection ordinance?
Orinda's Tree Management Ordinance is Chapter 17.21 of the Municipal Code (Title 17 Zoning). It protects the seven listed native oak species at 12-inch trunk diameter (at 4.5 feet) on developed parcels and native riparian trees at 4-inch trunk diameter. On vacant/undeveloped parcels and Downtown-district parcels, any tree 6 inches or more in diameter is protected (unless on the Disallowed Plant List), and trees planted as restitution or required by a development approval are protected at any size.
What is Ordinance 25-03 and how does it affect tree removal?
Under Ordinance No. 25-03 (adopted May 6, 2025), tree removal that an insurer requires as a condition of retaining or obtaining coverage no longer needs a tree permit at all: OMC 17.21.3.B.7 exempts it, provided documentation identifying the reason for removal and the location of the trees is supplied to the Planning Department.
What is the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD)?
The Moraga-Orinda Fire District serves Orinda, Moraga, and surrounding unincorporated areas. MOFD enforces defensible space requirements including 100-foot clearance zones around structures. They conduct inspections and can issue written requirements for vegetation management that exempt homeowners from certain tree permit requirements.
How does defensible space work with oak protection in Orinda?
This is the central tension in Orinda tree management. MOFD requires 100-foot defensible space, but Chapter 17.21 protects native oaks at 12-inch trunk diameter (at 4.5 feet). An experienced arborist can design pruning plans that satisfy both: raising canopies, creating crown separation, and removing ladder fuels without removing protected trees. MOFD written requirements can exempt some work from tree permits.
Do I need an arborist report for a tree permit in Orinda?
Yes. The Planning Department requires an ISA Certified Arborist report for all protected tree removal applications. The report must document the tree's species, size, health condition, structural integrity, and justification for removal. Reports typically cost $350 to $800 depending on complexity and the number of trees assessed.
Tree permits in nearby cities
Contra Costa County (unincorporated) · Danville · Lafayette · Moraga · Pleasant Hill · Walnut Creek
Compare all 56 cities in the 56-city ordinance table, or run the permit checker.
Not sure what Orinda 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.