Do I Need a Tree Permit in San Francisco?
San Francisco uses a geographic protection model — not species-based. If your tree is large enough and close enough to the public right-of-way, it's protected regardless of species. Here's exactly what triggers a permit, what it costs, and what happens if you skip it.
Does my tree need a permit?
Answer two questions to find out instantly, based on San Francisco's Article 16 of the Public Works Code (2026).
Circumference = wrap a flexible tape around the trunk at 4.5 ft above grade. Divide by 3.14 for diameter (≈3.8″ DBH = 12″ circumference).
What triggers a permit in San Francisco?
San Francisco's tree protection is geographic, not species-based. Unlike most Bay Area cities that protect specific species above certain diameters, SF protects any tree that meets two criteria: size and proximity to a public right-of-way. This is governed by Article 16 of the Public Works Code (Sections 800–811A).
| Category | Trigger | Authority | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Significant Tree | ≥12″ circ. within 10 ft of ROW | Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF) | $500–$20,000 per violation |
| Street tree | Any size (city property) | BUF under Proposition E (2017) | Replacement + appraised value |
| Landmark Tree | Board of Supervisors designation | Board of Supervisors + BUF | Highest protection level |
| Private tree >10 ft from ROW | Generally not protected | No city permit typically required | — |
The 10-foot measurement matters
The right-of-way typically extends from the street curb to the property line, including the sidewalk. Trees planted between the sidewalk and curb are street trees (city property). Trees on private property within 10 feet of the property line facing a public street or sidewalk likely qualify. If you're unsure whether your tree falls within 10 feet, the Bureau of Urban Forestry can make the determination — call 311.
How to get a tree removal permit in San Francisco
San Francisco's permit process runs through the Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF) under SF Public Works. Here's the actual sequence:
Measure circumference and distance from ROW
Wrap a flexible tape around the trunk at 4.5 feet above grade. If the circumference is 12 inches or more, and the tree is within 10 feet of a public right-of-way (sidewalk, street, or public easement), it is a Significant Tree. If the tree is between the curb and sidewalk, it's a street tree — city property under Proposition E.
Get an arborist report
Hire an ISA Certified Arborist to prepare a written report documenting the tree's condition, species, size, reason for removal, and whether alternatives (pruning, cabling, treatment) are feasible. The Bureau of Urban Forestry expects ISA-certified documentation for all Significant Tree removal applications. Budget $300–$700 for this report.
Your tree service company often handles this as part of the job — confirm before hiring separately.
Submit application to Bureau of Urban Forestry
Contact BUF through SF Public Works. You can initiate the process by calling 311 or using the SF311 app. Submit the removal application with your arborist report, site plan showing the tree's location relative to the ROW, and photos of the tree and any damage or hazard conditions.
30-day public notification period
Once the application is accepted, it enters a mandatory 30-day public notification period. A notice is posted on the tree and neighbors can comment or file an appeal during this window. This is the main reason the process takes 4–6 weeks.
Landmark Trees or highly contested removals may face additional hearings and longer timelines.
City arborist site inspection
A BUF staff arborist visits the property to evaluate the tree's condition, verify the information in your application, and assess whether removal is justified. They may recommend alternatives to removal.
Receive approval and schedule work
Standard permits take 4–6 weeks from submission to approval. Once approved, hire a licensed, insured tree service company. Replacement planting is typically required as a condition of approval — often at a 2:1 ratio (two replacement trees for each one removed). Replacement species, minimum size (usually 15-gallon or 24-inch box), and planting location are specified by BUF.
What happens if you remove a tree without a permit?
Up to $20,000 per violation — plus criminal penalties
Unauthorized removal of a Significant Tree in San Francisco triggers administrative fines of $500 to $20,000 per violation under Article 16 of the Public Works Code. Criminal penalties can include additional fines up to $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail. The city can also require mandatory replacement planting, stop-work orders on any associated construction, and full site restoration. The Bureau of Urban Forestry investigates reports from neighbors and city inspectors.
The math is straightforward: a permit costs time (4–6 weeks) and an arborist report ($300–$700). A violation costs $500–$20,000 in fines, possible criminal charges, and mandatory replacement planting at your expense. There is no scenario where skipping the permit makes financial sense.
Proposition E and street trees
Proposition E, passed by San Francisco voters in 2017, transferred responsibility for all 125,000+ street tree maintenance from property owners to the City. Before Prop E, if a street tree's roots cracked a sidewalk, the adjacent property owner paid for repairs. Now the Bureau of Urban Forestry handles all street tree maintenance, pruning, removal, and sidewalk repair.
This means you cannot remove, significantly prune, or alter a street tree without BUF authorization — even if it's directly in front of your property. To report a street tree issue (hazard, disease, sidewalk damage), call 311 or use the SF311 app.
Bureau of Urban Forestry — contact and resources
Call 311 before you apply
The Bureau of Urban Forestry staff can often tell you over the phone whether your tree is likely to qualify as a Significant Tree before you pay for an arborist report. Worth a 10-minute call — especially if you're unsure about the 10-foot ROW measurement.
Frequently asked questions
Does pruning require a permit in San Francisco?
Routine pruning that follows ISA standards (ANSI A300) does not typically require a permit for private Significant Trees, though excessive pruning that significantly alters the tree's structure could trigger enforcement. All street tree pruning requires BUF authorization — call 311 to request it.
What if the tree is dead or an immediate hazard?
Emergency removal of an imminent hazard may proceed without the standard process, but you must notify BUF as soon as possible and document the hazard condition with photos before removal. A post-removal report may be required. If time permits, call 311 first.
My neighbor's tree hangs over my property — do I need a permit to trim it?
Under California common law, you can trim branches and roots that cross your property line — but only up to the property line, and only if it doesn't kill or seriously damage the tree. If the neighbor's tree is a Significant Tree (within 10 ft of ROW, ≥12″ circumference), you may need a permit for significant trimming. Under Civil Code section 3346, damages for wrongful injury to trees can be tripled.
What is a Landmark Tree?
A Landmark Tree is individually designated by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for exceptional historical, ecological, or aesthetic significance. Landmark Trees receive the highest level of protection regardless of their location relative to the right-of-way. Removal requires Board approval, which is rarely granted.
Is my tree on private property still protected?
Only if it's within 10 feet of a public right-of-way and has ≥12″ circumference. Private trees more than 10 feet from any ROW are generally not subject to Article 16 protection — though they may still be subject to other regulations if in a historic district, on a lot with a Landmark Tree designation, or near a construction project requiring environmental review.
Related reading for San Francisco tree owners
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