Tree Permits in San Anselmo
San Anselmo requires a permit to remove any species on a developed lot at 22″; any tree on an undeveloped lot at 7″; council-designated heritage tree at any size; 1 more protected class. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required with the application. Permit fee from $325. Verified October 21, 2026.
Last verified · fees checked · Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF
San Anselmo tree ordinance at a glance
| Code section | SAMC Title 4, Ch. 13 Private Trees, 4-13.01 to 4-13.08 (Ord. 709, 1976; Ord. 889, 1987; Ord. 1020, 2001); Ch. 9 Street Trees |
|---|---|
| Protected trees | Developed parcels: 'heritage trees' only, any species with a trunk 22 inches diameter at breast height (4.5 ft) or a Council-designated tree; acacia and any Council-designated 'nuisance' tree are never heritage trees (Town lists acacia, eucalyptus, plum, privet, Monterey pine, and administratively liquidambar, as nuisance trees needing no permit). Undeveloped parcels (lots that can be further subdivided or developed): any 'tree', meaning any woody plant with at least one trunk of 7 inches DBH. Permit covers removal, destruction, pruning or root cutting that endangers or shortens the tree's life, and raising the soil level; the Town defines permitted pruning as removal of less than 25 percent of the foliage. Street trees need a Public Works permit under Ch. 9. |
| Size threshold | 22" DBH any species on developed lots (heritage tree) / 7" DBH any tree on undeveloped lots, at 4.5 ft 4-13.02(a): '"Tree" shall mean any woody perennial plant characterized by having one or more trunks, any one of which has a diameter at breast height (four and one-half (4.5′) feet of seven (7″) inches.' 4-13.02(b): '"Heritage tree" shall mean a tree which has a trunk with a diameter at breast height (four and one-half (4.5′) feet of twenty-two inches (22″)'. Town page: 'Pruning is defined as, and limited to, removal of less than 25% of the tree's foliage.' The Parks Department Arborist may decide whether a specific woody plant is a tree. |
| Multi-trunk trees | Multi-trunk: a plant is a tree if 'one or more trunks, any one of which' is 7 inches DBH (4-13.02(a)); the heritage definition speaks of 'a trunk' of 22 inches, so the largest single trunk is measured (4-13.02(b)) |
| Dead or hazardous trees | No dead-tree exemption in the code; tree condition (disease, danger of falling) is a decision factor (4-13.06(a)(1)). Emergency: 'In the event of any emergency in which a particular tree or heritage tree causes an immediate hazard or dangerous condition, such tree may be removed or cut back by permission of the Public Works Director, the Chief of Police, or Chief of the Fire Department or their respective department representatives without following the above described permit procedure' (4-13.06(b)). Town page: a tree verified by an arborist report to be dead, dying or dangerous can typically be approved immediately, and the fee may be waived. |
| Fire-safety removals | No special treatment. Chapter 13 has no fire-safety or defensible-space exemption or finding; the only fire-related routes are the Fire Chief's emergency authorization for an immediate hazard (4-13.06(b)) and the permit-free removal of Council-designated nuisance species (acacia, eucalyptus, Monterey pine, plum, privet, liquidambar), and the Town's page notes that fuel reduction usually means limbing up and clearing ladder fuels rather than removing the tree. source · all cities |
| Permit fee (FY 2026-27) | Tree Removal Fees: Heritage Tree and/or Undeveloped Parcel Tree $325 for the first hour, hourly rate thereafter, per permit ('For dead, dying or dangerous trees fee may be waived. Replacement trees may required for each tree removed.'); Street Tree $195.70 per permit (removal and planting); After-the-fact Tree or Heritage Tree Removal Fine $2,370.03 per tree; Arborist Site Visit and Arborist Report $250 per hour (Public Works); Appeals: Planning Applicant $3,749, Non-Applicant $1,000, General $1,000 (Finance and Administration lines 4-6). 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. Online application with the arborist report, photos and questionnaire; the Town mails the 300-ft notice and the Parks Department Arborist decides, with an administrative hearing only if neighbors object. The permit copy must be posted at the front of the premises before work starts (one posting trip, or the owner posts it). Have it filed. |
| Penalties for removal without a permit | 'Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty either of an infraction or a misdemeanor shall be subject to the penalties prescribed by this Code' (4-13.08). Fee schedule: 'After the fact - Tree or Heritage Tree Removal Fine $2,370.03 Per tree Penalty $2,050 Maximum as determined by the Public Works Director' (FY 2026-27). No appraisal-based penalty or replacement formula in the chapter. |
| Arborist report | Required. Every tree work permit (heritage tree, undeveloped-parcel tree or street tree): the Public Works page, the FAQ and the Supplemental Questionnaire for Tree Work Permit all state that an arborist's report and photographs are required before the application is complete. The code is narrower: 4-13.06(a) lets Public Works require 'such other pertinent information as the Public Works Department may require which may include a discussion of the need for the work by a qualified arborist', and the Parks Department Arborist may secure 'such expert advice deemed necessary' before deciding. A report verifying the tree is dead, dying or dangerous lets the Town approve immediately and may waive the fee. Who may write it: Code: 'a qualified arborist' (4-13.06(a)), undefined. Town page and questionnaire: 'An arborist's report', credential not specified. The Town charges $250 per hour for its own 'Arborist Site Visit and Arborist Report' (FY 2026-27 fee schedule). |
| Who to call | Department of Public Works, 525 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo 94960; (415) 258-4616 (Public Works, per the tree questionnaire; Engineers (415) 258-4634); applications online through the Town's permit portal; the Parks Department Arborist decides after inspection; appeals to the Town Council · official page |
- : Fee schedule updated (FY 2026-27): Tree Removal Fees: Heritage Tree and/or Undeveloped Parcel Tree $325 for the first hour, hourly rate thereafter, per permit ('For dead, dying or dangerous trees fee may…
Sources: library.municode.com · sananselmo.gov · townofsananselmo.org. Urban Forestry Guide is not a city line; for San Anselmo permit questions use the department above.
Does my tree need a permit in San Anselmo?
A permit is required when the tree is protected and meets the size rule. San Anselmo measures trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above the ground.
- Any species on a developed lot (heritage tree): protected at 22″ diameter
- Any tree on an undeveloped (further subdividable or developable) lot: protected at 7″ diameter (undeveloped parcel)
- Council-designated heritage tree: protected at any size
- Street tree: protected at any size
- Acacia, eucalyptus, plum, privet, Monterey pine, liquidambar (nuisance trees): exempt. Nuisance trees: no permit at any size (4-13.02(b), 4-13.06(a); Town Public Works page and FAQ).
- Multi-trunk trees: the tree qualifies if any single trunk meets the class threshold (7" DBH tree, 22" DBH heritage) (4-13.02).
Permit also covers pruning or root cutting that endangers or shortens the tree's life and raising the soil level; the Town defines allowed pruning as removal of less than 25% of the foliage (4-13.03, 4-13.04; Town page).
Arborist report, photos and the Tree Supplemental Questionnaire are required before the application is complete (Town page). Fee $325 for the first hour of staff time plus the hourly rate (FY 2026-27), waivable for dead, dying or dangerous trees; after-the-fact removal fine $2,370.03 per tree.
300-ft written notice; administrative hearing only if objections are received; the Parks Department Arborist decides; the permit must be posted at the front of the premises; appeal to the Town Council (4-13.06, 4-13.07).
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 San Anselmo require an arborist report?
Yes. Every tree work permit (heritage tree, undeveloped-parcel tree or street tree): the Public Works page, the FAQ and the Supplemental Questionnaire for Tree Work Permit all state that an arborist's report and photographs are required before the application is complete. The code is narrower: 4-13.06(a) lets Public Works require 'such other pertinent information as the Public Works Department may require which may include a discussion of the need for the work by a qualified arborist', and the Parks Department Arborist may secure 'such expert advice deemed necessary' before deciding. A report verifying the tree is dead, dying or dangerous lets the Town approve immediately and may waive the fee.
Who may write it: Code: 'a qualified arborist' (4-13.06(a)), undefined. Town page and questionnaire: 'An arborist's report', credential not specified. The Town charges $250 per hour for its own 'Arborist Site Visit and Arborist Report' (FY 2026-27 fee schedule).. None found on the Public Works Permits page, FAQ or questionnaire.
“An arborist's report and photograph of the tree(s), as well as a Tree Supplemental Questionnaire are required prior to this application being complete. Application must include at least one photo showing the context of the tree or application may be deemed incomplete.” city application form
How to get a tree removal permit in San Anselmo
- Confirm a permit is needed: on a developed lot, removal, life-shortening pruning, root cutting or soil raising affecting a heritage tree (22 inches DBH at 4.5 ft, or Council-designated); on an undeveloped lot (one that can be further subdivided or developed), the same work on any tree with a trunk of 7 inches DBH; any street tree. Pruning that removes less than 25 percent of the foliage needs no permit. Acacia, eucalyptus, plum, privet, Monterey pine and liquidambar are nuisance trees and need no permit (4-13.02, 4-13.03, 4-13.04, 4-13.06(a); Town page). source
- Obtain an arborist's report and photographs of each tree (at least one photo showing the tree's context) and complete the Supplemental Questionnaire for Tree Work Permit (value of work, description, reason, location, DBH, health, distance to structures, utilities, topography and erosion, effect on property values). A licensed D-49, C-60 or C-27 contractor is required for work of $300 or more (questionnaire). source
- Apply online through the Town's permit portal (links on the Public Works Permits page) to the Department of Public Works, 525 San Anselmo Avenue, (415) 258-4616, with the fee: $325 for the first hour of staff time and the hourly rate thereafter per permit (FY 2026-27), which may be waived for dead, dying or dangerous trees (4-13.06(a); fee schedule). source
- Once the application is complete, Public Works notifies every property owner within 300 feet in writing that the permit is being considered; if objections are received an administrative hearing is set at least 10 days after the notice. The Town page says a healthy tree gets the 10-day neighbor notice, while a tree verified dead, dying or dangerous by the arborist report can typically be approved immediately (4-13.06(a); Town page; current notices are posted on the Town's Current Notices page). source
- The Parks Department Arborist inspects and decides on the five considerations (condition, danger of falling, proximity to structures, utility interference; necessity for economic enjoyment of the property; topography, erosion and surface-water effects; effect on area property values; good forestry practices): 'A permit shall be issued unless the Parks Department Arborist finds ... that the trees affected are of a size, type, condition, and location and in such surroundings that the contemplated work would significantly frustrate the purposes of this chapter' (4-13.06(a)). Replacement on a 1-to-1 basis will most likely be required, from the Tree Replacement Criteria list (Town page). source
- Post a copy of the permit in a conspicuous place at the front of the premises before starting and keep it posted until the work is complete and approved by the building official (4-13.06(e)). Any decision of the Parks Department Arborist or Public Works may be appealed to the Town Council using the Planning Commission appeal procedure in Title 10 (4-13.07); appeal fee $3,749 applicant / $1,000 non-applicant (FY 2026-27). source
| Timeline | No decision deadline in the code. Written notice to owners within 300 feet once the application is complete; administrative hearing at least 10 days after the notice if objections are received; Town page: healthy trees get a 10-day neighbor notice, dead, dying or dangerous trees verified by an arborist report are typically approved immediately. No permit validity period stated. “If the tree is healthy, a 10-day notice will have to be sent to the adjacent neighbors in a 300-foot radius. If the tree can be verified by an arborist report to be dead, dying or dangerous, the Town can typically approve such permits immediately.” source |
|---|---|
| Appeal | 4-13.07: 'Any decision made by the Parks Department Arborist or the Public Works Department may be appealed to the Town Council. Such appeal shall be processed by using the appeals procedure established for Planning Commission appeals in Title 10 of this Code.' Title 10 appeal procedure (filing window) not read. Appeal fees FY 2026-27: Planning Applicant $3,749, Non-Applicant $1,000, General $1,000, plus Town Attorney costs passed through. “Any decision made by the Parks Department Arborist or the Public Works Department may be appealed to the Town Council.” source |
| Replacement | No replacement rule in Ch. 13. Town page: 'A replacement tree will most likely be required on a 1-to-1 bases. You can consult the links below for a list of acceptable replacement trees' (Tree Replacement Criteria List, PG&E Guide to Small Trees). Fee schedule note: 'Replacement trees may required for each tree removed.' source |
| Forms | Public Works Permits page: Tree Work (requirements, nuisance species, replacement, online application link) · Supplemental Questionnaire for Tree Work Permit (Department of Public Works, revised 12/2/2020) · Tree Replacement Criteria list (acceptable replacement species) · FAQ: Do I need a permit to cut a tree? (adds liquidambar to the nuisance list) · Schedule of User Fees, effective July 1, 2026 (Public Works Fees: Tree Removal Fees) · SAMC Title 4 Chapter 13 Private Trees (Municode) |
Process verified October 21, 2026 against the city's code, forms and department pages.
Frequently asked questions about tree permits in San Anselmo
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in San Anselmo?
No dead-tree exemption in the code; tree condition (disease, danger of falling) is a decision factor (4-13.06(a)(1)). Emergency: 'In the event of any emergency in which a particular tree or heritage tree causes an immediate hazard or dangerous condition, such tree may be removed or cut back by permission of the Public Works Director, the Chief of Police, or Chief of the Fire Department or their respective department representatives without following the above described permit procedure' (4-13.06(b)). Town page: a tree verified by an arborist report to be dead, dying or dangerous can typically be approved immediately, and the fee may be waived.
What is the fine for removing a tree without a permit in San Anselmo?
'Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty either of an infraction or a misdemeanor shall be subject to the penalties prescribed by this Code' (4-13.08). Fee schedule: 'After the fact - Tree or Heritage Tree Removal Fine $2,370.03 Per tree Penalty $2,050 Maximum as determined by the Public Works Director' (FY 2026-27). No appraisal-based penalty or replacement formula in the chapter.
How long does a tree removal permit take in San Anselmo?
No decision deadline in the code. Written notice to owners within 300 feet once the application is complete; administrative hearing at least 10 days after the notice if objections are received; Town page: healthy trees get a 10-day neighbor notice, dead, dying or dangerous trees verified by an arborist report are typically approved immediately. No permit validity period stated.
Does San Anselmo require an arborist report for a tree removal permit?
Required. Every tree work permit (heritage tree, undeveloped-parcel tree or street tree): the Public Works page, the FAQ and the Supplemental Questionnaire for Tree Work Permit all state that an arborist's report and photographs are required before the application is complete. The code is narrower: 4-13.06(a) lets Public Works require 'such other pertinent information as the Public Works Department may require which may include a discussion of the need for the work by a qualified arborist', and the Parks Department Arborist may secure 'such expert advice deemed necessary' before deciding. A report verifying the tree is dead, dying or dangerous lets the Town approve immediately and may waive the fee.
Can I remove a tree for fire safety in San Anselmo without a permit?
No special treatment in the ordinance. Chapter 13 has no fire-safety or defensible-space exemption or finding; the only fire-related routes are the Fire Chief's emergency authorization for an immediate hazard (4-13.06(b)) and the permit-free removal of Council-designated nuisance species (acacia, eucalyptus, Monterey pine, plum, privet, liquidambar), and the Town's page notes that fuel reduction usually means limbing up and clearing ladder fuels rather than removing the tree.
How does San Anselmo measure a tree for the permit threshold?
Trunk diameter (DBH) at 54 inches above grade. 22" DBH any species on developed lots (heritage tree) / 7" DBH any tree on undeveloped lots, at 4.5 ft
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Compare all 56 cities in the 56-city ordinance table, or run the permit checker.
Not sure what San Anselmo 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.