Tree Permits in San Bruno
San Bruno requires a permit to remove native bay, buckeye, oak, redwood or Monterey pine at 6″; any other species at 10″; council-designated tree or stand, or interdependent stand at any size. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required with the application. Permit fee from $181. Verified October 12, 2026.
Last verified · fees checked · Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF
San Bruno tree ordinance at a glance
| Code section | SBMC Ch. 8.25 Heritage Trees (Ord. 1669, 2002; Ord. 1944, 12/12/2024) |
|---|---|
| Protected trees | Heritage trees: native bay (Umbellularia californica), buckeye (Aesculus spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) or Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) 6" diameter or more; any other species 10" diameter or more; Council-designated trees or stands and stands of interdependent trees at any size. Applies to all trees on public or private property except street trees (Ch. 8.24). Blue gum eucalyptus is not exempt, but the director may waive the chapter's other conditions when permitting its removal (8.25.040(D)). |
| Size threshold | 6" diameter (native bay, buckeye, oak, redwood, Monterey pine) / 10" diameter (any other species), measured at 54" above natural grade 8.25.020: 'diameter of six inches or more measured at fifty-four inches above natural grade' / 'trunk diameter of ten inches or more, measured at fifty-four inches above natural grade'. No multi-trunk rule in the chapter. Pruning permit needed for removing up to one-quarter of the crown or root system. |
| Multi-trunk trees | None in Ch. 8.25 ('Any other tree with a trunk diameter of ten inches or more'); stands of trees that depend on each other for survival are heritage regardless of size (8.25.020(3)) |
| Dead or hazardous trees | No dead-tree exemption; permit required unless 'in the case of an emergency when a tree poses an imminent hazard or danger to life or property, it may be pruned or removed by order of any member of the police, fire or public works department' (8.25.030); applications 'based on hazard or danger of disease' get priority (8.25.040(C)); franchised utilities may remove interfering trees |
| Permit fee (FY 2026-27) | $181 Tree Removal Permit; $91 Tree Pruning Permit; $533 refundable replacement deposit per tree removed (one 24" box or two 15-gallon trees); $632 Tree Non-Replacement (in-lieu) Fee per tree removed fee schedule |
| Penalties for removal without a permit | Misdemeanor (city attorney may prosecute as an infraction), each day a separate offense (8.25.090); trees removed without a valid permit must be replaced at double the normal quantity (8.25.050(C)), i.e. four 15-gallon or two 24" box trees per tree, or payment of equal value to the city tree planting fund where replanting is infeasible (8.25.050(D)); pruning beyond permit conditions is deemed a removal (8.25.020) |
| Arborist report | Required. Every heritage tree removal or pruning permit in practice: the city's Trees on Private Property page says 'You will need to submit a certified arborist report to us by email' listing why the tree needs pruning or removal, the diameter at 54 inches above natural grade, the cost estimate of the work on the report, and a current picture; removal requests must also state the replacement species/size or the in-lieu election. The code itself is permissive: 'The applicant may be required to submit an arborist's report with the permit application to show cause for removal' (8.25.040(A)). Who may write it: 'Certified arborist report' (city page). Ch. 8.25 does not define 'arborist' or 'certified arborist'; 8.25.060(A) refers to best management practices 'recommended by a certified arborist'. |
| Who to call | Community Services Department, Parks Division (Parks Manager and Community Services Director review; director of community services decides). Submit the certified arborist report by email (adillon@sanbruno.ca.gov per the city page). Parks office 1125 Crystal Springs Rd; mailing 567 El Camino Real, San Bruno 94066. · official page |
- : Fee schedule updated (FY 2026-27): $181 Tree Removal Permit; $91 Tree Pruning Permit; $533 refundable replacement deposit per tree removed (one 24" box or two 15-gallon trees); $632 Tree Non-Replacement…
Sources: sanbruno.ca.gov · ecode360.com. Urban Forestry Guide is not a city line; for San Bruno permit questions use the department above.
Does my tree need a permit in San Bruno?
A permit is required when the tree is protected and meets the size rule. San Bruno measures trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above the ground.
- Native bay, buckeye, oak, redwood or Monterey pine: protected at 6″ diameter
- Any other species: protected at 10″ diameter
- Council-designated tree or stand, or interdependent stand: protected at any size
- Street trees: exempt. Street trees are permitted under Ch. 8.24 (Public Works/Community Services), not the heritage tree chapter.
Pruning that removes up to one-quarter of the crown or roots also needs a permit (8.25.020 "Prune"); heavier pruning is treated as removal.
Blue gum eucalyptus still needs a permit, but the director may waive the replacement and other conditions when permitting its removal (8.25.040(D)).
The city asks for a certified arborist report by email for every application; fees $181 removal / $91 pruning, $533 deposit or $632 in-lieu (effective Oct 1, 2026).
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 Bruno require an arborist report?
Yes. Every heritage tree removal or pruning permit in practice: the city's Trees on Private Property page says 'You will need to submit a certified arborist report to us by email' listing why the tree needs pruning or removal, the diameter at 54 inches above natural grade, the cost estimate of the work on the report, and a current picture; removal requests must also state the replacement species/size or the in-lieu election. The code itself is permissive: 'The applicant may be required to submit an arborist's report with the permit application to show cause for removal' (8.25.040(A)).
Who may write it: 'Certified arborist report' (city page). Ch. 8.25 does not define 'arborist' or 'certified arborist'; 8.25.060(A) refers to best management practices 'recommended by a certified arborist'.. None found on the city page or in Ch. 8.25.
“Any person desiring to remove or prune one or more heritage trees must contact the Community Services Department for a permit. You will need to submit a certified arborist report to us by email that includes the following information: Why does the tree need to be pruned or removed; The diameter of the tree at fifty-four inches above natural grade; The cost estimate of the work listed on the arborist report; A current picture of the tree” city department page
How to get a tree removal permit in San Bruno
- Confirm the tree is a heritage tree: native bay, buckeye, oak, redwood or Monterey pine 6" diameter or more, or any other tree 10" diameter or more, measured at 54" above natural grade (or a Council-designated tree/stand or an interdependent stand). A permit is needed to remove, or to prune up to one-quarter of the crown or root system; street trees go through Ch. 8.24 instead. source
- Email a certified arborist report to the Community Services Department (Parks Division, adillon@sanbruno.ca.gov, 650-616-7196) stating why the tree needs pruning or removal, the trunk diameter at 54 inches, the cost estimate of the work, and a current photo; for removals, name the replacement species and size or state that you will pay the in-lieu fee. Only the property owner or an authorized agent may apply (8.25.040(A)). source
- Pay the permit fee: $181 removal or $91 pruning (effective Oct 1, 2026), plus a $533 refundable replacement deposit per tree removed, or the $632 non-replacement fee per tree if not replanting. source
- The Parks Manager and Director of Community Services review the report; the director decides in his or her sole discretion on the five code criteria (tree condition and disease/falling danger/proximity to structures/utility interference; necessity for improvements and reasonable economic enjoyment; topography and erosion; neighborhood tree cover and property values; number of trees the parcel can support), giving priority to hazard or disease cases, and may refer the application to another department or commission (8.25.040(B)-(C)). Written notice of the decision with the appeal section goes to the applicant and any occupant (8.25.070). source
- Replace each removed heritage tree with at least two 15-gallon trees or one 24" box tree as recommended by the director (the city page calls these 'two 15 gallon trees, or one 24-inch box size tree'); the deposit is refunded once replanting is done. Permits are valid six months from issue; the director may grant extensions (8.25.040(A), 8.25.050(B)). source
- Heritage trees removed or pruned in conjunction with a planning or building permit still need a separate heritage tree permit from Community Services (8.25.050(A), 8.25.060). source
| Timeline | No processing time published on the city page or in the code. Permit valid six months from date of issue (8.25.040(A)). Reconsideration/appeal deadline: 5 p.m. on the tenth calendar day after the decision. “Heritage tree removal or pruning permits are valid for six months from date of issue. The director of community services may authorize extensions.” source |
|---|---|
| Appeal | The applicant may ask the director of community services to reconsider in a signed written request stating the reasons, filed by 5 p.m. on the tenth calendar day after the decision; the reconsidered decision may then be appealed to the City Council by filing with the city clerk by 5 p.m. on the tenth calendar day after that decision, for hearing at the next regular meeting at least ten days later, with five days' mailed notice (8.25.080). The code grants appeal rights to 'the permit applicant' only; the city page says 'any person'. “The permit applicant may request the director of community services to reconsider a decision on an application. Such a request shall be in writing, signed by the person making the request, and shall state the reasons the request is made, and shall be filed with the director of community services not later than five p.m. of the tenth calendar day after the decision.” source |
| Replacement | 8.25.050(B): 'Tree replacement shall be a minimum of either two fifteen-inch box size trees, or one twenty-four-inch box size tree, for each heritage tree removed, to be determined by the director of public works or designee' (the fee schedule and city page render this as two 15-gallon trees or one 24" box tree; $533 deposit per removal). 8.25.050(C): trees removed without a valid permit are replaced at double those quantities. 8.25.050(D): where replanting is infeasible or inappropriate, payment equal to the cost of purchasing and installing the replacement tree(s) to the city tree planting fund ($632 Non-Replacement Fee). source |
| Forms | Trees on Private Property (Community Services page; application is by emailed arborist report, no form linked) · SBMC Chapter 8.25 Heritage Trees (eCode360) · Schedule of User and Regulatory Fees and Charges, effective October 1, 2026 (Phase One) · Master Fee Schedule archive (prior years) |
Process verified October 12, 2026 against the city's code, forms and department pages.
Frequently asked questions about tree permits in San Bruno
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in San Bruno?
No dead-tree exemption; permit required unless 'in the case of an emergency when a tree poses an imminent hazard or danger to life or property, it may be pruned or removed by order of any member of the police, fire or public works department' (8.25.030); applications 'based on hazard or danger of disease' get priority (8.25.040(C)); franchised utilities may remove interfering trees
What is the fine for removing a tree without a permit in San Bruno?
Misdemeanor (city attorney may prosecute as an infraction), each day a separate offense (8.25.090); trees removed without a valid permit must be replaced at double the normal quantity (8.25.050(C)), i.e. four 15-gallon or two 24" box trees per tree, or payment of equal value to the city tree planting fund where replanting is infeasible (8.25.050(D)); pruning beyond permit conditions is deemed a removal (8.25.020)
How long does a tree removal permit take in San Bruno?
No processing time published on the city page or in the code. Permit valid six months from date of issue (8.25.040(A)). Reconsideration/appeal deadline: 5 p.m. on the tenth calendar day after the decision.
Does San Bruno require an arborist report for a tree removal permit?
Required. Every heritage tree removal or pruning permit in practice: the city's Trees on Private Property page says 'You will need to submit a certified arborist report to us by email' listing why the tree needs pruning or removal, the diameter at 54 inches above natural grade, the cost estimate of the work on the report, and a current picture; removal requests must also state the replacement species/size or the in-lieu election. The code itself is permissive: 'The applicant may be required to submit an arborist's report with the permit application to show cause for removal' (8.25.040(A)).
How does San Bruno measure a tree for the permit threshold?
Trunk diameter (DBH) at 54 inches above grade. 6" diameter (native bay, buckeye, oak, redwood, Monterey pine) / 10" diameter (any other species), measured at 54" above natural grade
Tree permits in nearby cities
Atherton · Belmont · Burlingame · East Palo Alto · Foster City · Hillsborough · Menlo Park · Pacifica
Compare all 45 cities in the 45-city ordinance table, or run the permit checker.
Not sure what San Bruno 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.