Tree Permits in Sausalito
Sausalito requires a permit to remove coast live oak (any private lot) at 4″; any other species on developed private property at 10″; any tree on undeveloped private property at 4″; 2 more protected classes. Measured as trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above grade. Arborist report required with the application. Permit fee from $1,171. Verified October 12, 2026.
Last verified · fees checked · Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF
Sausalito tree ordinance at a glance
| Code section | SMC Ch. 11.12 Preservation of Trees and Views (Ord. 1050, 1989; Ord. 1107, 1995; Ord. 1246, 2017; Ord. 1286, 2022; 11.12.050 repealed by Ord. 07-2025) |
|---|---|
| Protected trees | Protected on all private property: coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) 4" DBH or larger; heritage trees (any species 10" DBH) and Council-dedicated trees. On undeveloped private property: any tree 4" DBH or larger. All trees and shrubs on City property. Seven 'undesirable' (flammable) species are never protected: blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, coast redwood, blackwood acacia, Bailey acacia, green wattle. |
| Size threshold | 4" DBH coast live oak (any private lot) / 10" DBH any other species on developed lots / 4" DBH any species on undeveloped lots, at 4.5 ft 11.12.020(D): 'the tree trunk's diameter as measured at four and one-half feet above the ground; for multi-trunked trees, the diameter of the two largest trunks combined'. Undesirable species exempt at any size. 'Undeveloped property' includes lots less than 10% covered by structures, further-dividable lots, and lots about to be demolished (11.12.020(U)). |
| Multi-trunk trees | Multi-trunked trees: the diameter of the two largest trunks combined (11.12.020(D)) |
| Dead or hazardous trees | No dead-tree exemption (only 'routine pruning', the removal of dead parts, is exempt). Emergency: if personal injury or property damage is imminently threatened (likelihood of failure 'probable' or 'imminent' and risk 'high' or 'extreme' under ISA protocols) the Fire Chief, Chief of Police or City Engineer, in consultation with an arborist, may authorize removal without a permit; it must be reported to Community Development on the first business day after the work (11.12.030(F)) |
| Permit fee (FY 2025-26) | Tree Permit: Protected Tree (private or public property) $1,171 first tree + $88 each additional tree (Planning); View Claim $3,602 first tree + $88 each additional; Public Works Tree Alteration/Removal Permit (City trees) $176 fee schedule |
| Penalties for removal without a permit | Tree-specific penalty section 11.12.050 'Enforcement and penalties' was repealed by Ord. 07-2025; no penalty remains in Ch. 11.12 (general code enforcement provisions of the SMC apply, not reviewed). Replacement with a desirable tree or a Council-set tree replacement fee is a condition of every removal permit (11.12.030(B)(2)); construction damage to a protected tree requires replacement on the same site (11.12.030(C)(5)) |
| Arborist report | Required. Every tree removal/alteration permit application: SMC 11.12.030(A)(1)(a) requires the application to be accompanied by an arborist report; the City's Application Instructions state 'An arborist report is required for all applications' and the Arborist Report Requirements sheet prescribes its content (site plan with trunk location, DBH, height, driplines, species and appraised value; photographs; written report covering reasons, ISA appraised value, hazard, effects on neighboring vegetation and soil stability, stump/root removal, replacement suggestions). View claims also require an arborist report (11.12.040(C)(1)). Who may write it: 'Arborist' means a certified arborist currently listed by the International Society of Arboriculture or a consulting arborist currently listed as a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (11.12.020(B)); Arborist Report Requirements: 'must be prepared by a Certified Arborist currently listed as a member by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Consulting Arborist currently listed as a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.' |
| Who to call | Community Development Department, Planning Division, 420 Litho Street, Sausalito 94965 (accepts applications, issues tags/notices and permits); Planning Commission decides permits for protected trees on private developed property; City Engineer/Public Works for City-owned trees and right-of-way · official page |
- : Fee schedule updated (FY 2025-26): Tree Permit: Protected Tree (private or public property) $1,171 first tree + $88 each additional tree (Planning); View Claim $3,602 first tree + $88 each additional;…
Sources: ecode360.com · sausalito.gov. Urban Forestry Guide is not a city line; for Sausalito permit questions use the department above.
Does my tree need a permit in Sausalito?
A permit is required when the tree is protected and meets the size rule. Sausalito measures trunk diameter (DBH) at 54″ above the ground.
- Coast live oak (any private lot): protected at 4″ diameter
- Any other species on developed private property (heritage tree): protected at 10″ diameter
- Any tree on undeveloped private property: protected at 4″ diameter (undeveloped lot (less than 10% covered by structures, further-dividable, or about to be demolished))
- Council-dedicated tree: protected at any size
- Any tree or shrub on City property or right-of-way: protected at any size
- Blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, coast redwood, blackwood acacia, Bailey acacia, green wattle: exempt. Undesirable (flammable) species: no permit at any size (11.12.020(P)(6)).
- Multi-trunk trees: Multi-trunked trees: add the diameters of the two largest trunks and compare to the class threshold (11.12.020(D)).
Alteration beyond routine pruning (topping, shaping, root cutting, grade or drainage changes) needs the same permit (11.12.020(A), 11.12.030(A)).
Every application needs an ISA Certified or ASCA Consulting Arborist report; the Planning Commission decides and its decision is final (no Council appeal). Fee $1,171 first tree + $88 each additional (FY 2025-26).
'largest-two' multi-trunk mode is new to the checker; add handling before enabling.
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 Sausalito require an arborist report?
Yes. Every tree removal/alteration permit application: SMC 11.12.030(A)(1)(a) requires the application to be accompanied by an arborist report; the City's Application Instructions state 'An arborist report is required for all applications' and the Arborist Report Requirements sheet prescribes its content (site plan with trunk location, DBH, height, driplines, species and appraised value; photographs; written report covering reasons, ISA appraised value, hazard, effects on neighboring vegetation and soil stability, stump/root removal, replacement suggestions). View claims also require an arborist report (11.12.040(C)(1)).
Who may write it: 'Arborist' means a certified arborist currently listed by the International Society of Arboriculture or a consulting arborist currently listed as a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (11.12.020(B)); Arborist Report Requirements: 'must be prepared by a Certified Arborist currently listed as a member by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Consulting Arborist currently listed as a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.'. None for report authors. For appeals of City Engineer decisions the City keeps 'a list of three arborists qualified to make determinations' who act as arbiters (11.12.030(H)).
“The permit application must be accompanied by an arborist report stating the need for tree removal or alteration based on the criteria set forth in subsection B of this section, and recommending protective measures for any endangered tree.” municipal code
How to get a tree removal permit in Sausalito
- Confirm the tree is protected: coast live oak 4" DBH or larger anywhere on private land; any other non-undesirable species 10" DBH or larger on a developed lot; any tree 4" DBH or larger on an undeveloped lot; or a Council-dedicated tree. Blue gum, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, coast redwood and the three acacias can be removed without a permit. Any alteration beyond routine pruning (removal of dead parts) needs the permit, including topping, root cutting and grade changes (11.12.020(A), (J), (L)). source
- Hire an ISA Certified or ASCA Consulting Arborist to prepare the report per the City's Arborist Report Requirements (site plan with DBH, height, driplines, species and ISA appraised value; photographs; reasons, hazard evaluation, effects on neighboring vegetation and soil stability, stump/root advisability, replacement suggestions). If you are not the tree owner, obtain the owner's signed Permission to Enter form. source
- Submit to the Community Development Department (420 Litho St): the Tree Removal/Alteration Permit application form, the arborist report, the Permission to Enter form if applicable, the licensed contractor's proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, and the application fee ($1,171 first tree, $88 each additional per the FY 2025-26 schedule; the form says to call for a fee estimate). source
- Post the notice of pending application at the street front and tag each tree with the City's marking tape within two working days of filing (the code says within two working days and that tags and notice stay up 10 working days; the instructions say they stay until the permit is issued and work completed) (11.12.030(A)(1)(b)). source
- Planning staff review for completeness (complete applications must be in at least 15 days before the next Planning Commission meeting; the Commission generally meets twice a month), make a site inspection, and prepare a staff report; the Planning Commission considers the permit at a public meeting with testimony from the applicant and neighbors and may approve, condition, continue or deny it. City-owned trees go to Public Works/City Engineer instead (11.12.030(A)(2)). source
- Approval requires a finding that removal is necessary for public safety, reasonable enjoyment of the property (including sunlight and the right to develop), reasonable advantage of views, or good forestry/landscape practice, and that the tree will be replaced with a desirable tree or a replacement fee paid (or waived by the Commission); denial grounds include avoidable removal by redesign, thinning or shaping, drainage/erosion/privacy impacts, interdependent groups and neighborhood value (11.12.030(B)). Permit is issued by Community Development, must be posted on site during the work, and is not issued until related building permits are approved (11.12.030(D)). source
| Timeline | No decision deadline in the code. Complete applications are due at least 15 days before the next Planning Commission meeting (generally twice monthly); tags and application notice posted within 2 working days of filing and kept for 10 working days (code). Permit validity period not stated. “Complete applications must be received at least 15 days prior to the next available meeting of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission generally meets twice per month.” source |
|---|---|
| Appeal | None for private developed property: 'The decision of the Planning Commission is final with regard to applications subject to their jurisdiction' and 'There is no City Council appeal of the decision of any board, official or arbiter/arborist of any tree removal application.' For City Engineer decisions (public trees) an aggrieved party may pay for reconsideration by one of three City-listed arbiter arborists, whose decision is final (11.12.030(H)). “The decision of the Planning Commission is final with regard to applications subject to their jurisdiction.” source |
| Replacement | 11.12.030(B)(2): 'In order to grant a tree removal permit, it must be determined that one of the following conditions is satisfied: a. The tree to be removed will be replaced by a desirable tree; or b. The applicant is required to pay a tree replacement fee in the amount established by City Council resolution; or c. The Planning Commission waives the requirements in subsections (B)(2)(a) and (b) of this section based on information provided by the applicant/owner.' A 'desirable tree' is one approved for the location by the Planning Commission or City Engineer with the City's arborist. No replacement-fee line was found in the FY 2025-26 Master Fee Schedule. source |
| Forms | Tree Removal/Alteration Permit Application (fillable; instructions rev. Oct 29, 2018, Permission to Enter form and Arborist Report Requirements) · Arborist Report Requirements · Tree Removal Permit Process flowchart - Private Property (2013; still references the former Trees and Views Committee) · Trees and Views (Public Works page: definitions, forms) · Planning Forms and Guidelines (Planning Division page with the current application and fee schedule links) · Master Fee Schedule FY 2025-26 · SMC Chapter 11.12 Preservation of Trees and Views (eCode360) |
Process verified October 12, 2026 against the city's code, forms and department pages.
Frequently asked questions about tree permits in Sausalito
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in Sausalito?
No dead-tree exemption (only 'routine pruning', the removal of dead parts, is exempt). Emergency: if personal injury or property damage is imminently threatened (likelihood of failure 'probable' or 'imminent' and risk 'high' or 'extreme' under ISA protocols) the Fire Chief, Chief of Police or City Engineer, in consultation with an arborist, may authorize removal without a permit; it must be reported to Community Development on the first business day after the work (11.12.030(F))
What is the fine for removing a tree without a permit in Sausalito?
Tree-specific penalty section 11.12.050 'Enforcement and penalties' was repealed by Ord. 07-2025; no penalty remains in Ch. 11.12 (general code enforcement provisions of the SMC apply, not reviewed). Replacement with a desirable tree or a Council-set tree replacement fee is a condition of every removal permit (11.12.030(B)(2)); construction damage to a protected tree requires replacement on the same site (11.12.030(C)(5))
How long does a tree removal permit take in Sausalito?
No decision deadline in the code. Complete applications are due at least 15 days before the next Planning Commission meeting (generally twice monthly); tags and application notice posted within 2 working days of filing and kept for 10 working days (code). Permit validity period not stated.
Does Sausalito require an arborist report for a tree removal permit?
Required. Every tree removal/alteration permit application: SMC 11.12.030(A)(1)(a) requires the application to be accompanied by an arborist report; the City's Application Instructions state 'An arborist report is required for all applications' and the Arborist Report Requirements sheet prescribes its content (site plan with trunk location, DBH, height, driplines, species and appraised value; photographs; written report covering reasons, ISA appraised value, hazard, effects on neighboring vegetation and soil stability, stump/root removal, replacement suggestions). View claims also require an arborist report (11.12.040(C)(1)).
How does Sausalito measure a tree for the permit threshold?
Trunk diameter (DBH) at 54 inches above grade. 4" DBH coast live oak (any private lot) / 10" DBH any other species on developed lots / 4" DBH any species on undeveloped lots, at 4.5 ft
Tree permits in nearby cities
Mill Valley · San Rafael · Tiburon
Compare all 45 cities in the 45-city ordinance table, or run the permit checker.
Not sure what Sausalito 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.