Tree Permits in Tiburon
Tiburon requires a permit to remove listed oaks at any size; any species (heritage size) at 60″ circumference; council-dedicated tree at any size. Measured as trunk circumference at 24″ above grade. Arborist report required in some cases. Permit fee from $170. Verified July 31, 2026.
Last verified · fees checked · Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF
Tiburon tree ordinance at a glance
| Code section | TMC Ch. 15A (Trees); Ch. 15 (View and Sunlight Obstruction) |
|---|---|
| Protected trees | Protected: (1) heritage = any tree >60" circumference at 24" above ground (~19" dia); (2) ALL listed oaks any size (coast live, blue, CA black, interior live, canyon live, Engelmann, valley); (3) Council-dedicated trees. 'Undesirable trees' (blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, coast redwood, other fast-growing): permit-favored removal path |
| Size threshold | 60" circumference at 24" above ground (heritage); oaks any size |
| Multi-trunk trees | Per trunk circumference |
| Dead or hazardous trees | Emergency removal/alteration authorized only by police chief, PW superintendent, planning director, or town manager (fire marshal DECLARES hazard but does not authorize), report next business day (15A-4(b)); permit ineffective for 10 days after grant (appeal window) |
| Fire-safety removals | Exempt when the conditions are met. If the fire marshal declares a tree a fire hazard, the chief of police, public works superintendent, planning director or town manager may authorize its removal without a permit; the removal must be reported to the planning director on the next business day (TMC 15A-4(b)). Conditions: A fire marshal (Tiburon Fire Protection District) declaration that the specific tree is a fire hazard, followed by authorization from one of the four named town officials (police chief, public works superintendent, planning director/director of community development, town manager). The fire marshal declares; the town official authorizes. source · all cities |
| Permit fee (FY 2026-27) | Tree Permit**: (a) Single tree $170; (b) 2 through 4 trees $260; (c) 5+ trees $280 plus $55 per each additional tree. '**' = 'Initial deposit amount only. Any remainder will be refunded; additional Staff time to process will be billed per the Town's Hourly Rate Schedule(s)'. Input's '$280 single tree' and 'flat, not deposits' are both contradicted by the adopted schedule; $280 is the 5+ tree tier and all tree-permit fees are deposits. The Town's Forms & Fees page shows the same three tiers. 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. Emailed PDF application with aerial/site plan and ribbon-tagged photos (ribbons can be tied during the arborist's own assessment visit); Director inspects alone, mails 300-ft courtesy notices and decides. Have it filed. |
| Penalties for removal without a permit | Public-nuisance abatement + full enforcement-cost recovery (15A-10); replacement up to 3:1 discretionary condition (15A-7(b)); no fine schedule in Ch. 15A |
| Arborist report | Sometimes required. At Planning Director discretion: TMC 15A-5(b) lets the director require 'a report by a certified arborist satisfactory to the town, and/or a tree inventory' when reasonably necessary to make a determination, at applicant cost. The standard Tree Permit Application (Community Development Dept, with Land Development Application rev. 2026) does not list an arborist report among its required attachments (application form, aerial photo/site plan, ribbon-tagged tree photos, optional planting plan); it only advises contacting an arborist if the species is unknown. The director inspects the trees and site within 15 days (15A-6(c)). Who may write it: 'certified arborist satisfactory to the town' (TMC 15A-5(b)) |
| Who to call | Community Development (Planning): (415) 435-7390, planning@townoftiburon.gov · official page |
- : Fee schedule updated (FY 2026-27): Tree Permit**: (a) Single tree $170; (b) 2 through 4 trees $260; (c) 5+ trees $280 plus $55 per each additional tree. '**' = 'Initial deposit amount only. Any remainder…
Sources: townoftiburon.gov · library.municode.com. Urban Forestry Guide is not a city line; for Tiburon permit questions use the department above.
Does my tree need a permit in Tiburon?
A permit is required when the tree is protected and meets the size rule. Tiburon measures trunk circumference at 24″ above the ground.
- Listed oaks (coast live, blue, CA black, interior live, canyon live, Engelmann, valley): protected at any size
- Any species (heritage size): protected at 60″ circumference
- Council-dedicated tree: protected at any size
"Undesirable trees" (blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, coast redwood and other fast-growing species) may still meet the heritage size test; confirm with Planning.
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 Tiburon require an arborist report?
Sometimes. At Planning Director discretion: TMC 15A-5(b) lets the director require 'a report by a certified arborist satisfactory to the town, and/or a tree inventory' when reasonably necessary to make a determination, at applicant cost. The standard Tree Permit Application (Community Development Dept, with Land Development Application rev. 2026) does not list an arborist report among its required attachments (application form, aerial photo/site plan, ribbon-tagged tree photos, optional planting plan); it only advises contacting an arborist if the species is unknown. The director inspects the trees and site within 15 days (15A-6(c)).
Who may write it: 'certified arborist satisfactory to the town' (TMC 15A-5(b)). none found on Tree Permits page, Forms & Fees page, or application form
“The planning director may require additional information to secure the purposes of this chapter, including a report by a certified arborist satisfactory to the town, and/or a tree inventory of the subject property, when reasonably necessary to make a final determination.” municipal code
How to get a tree removal permit in Tiburon
- Confirm a permit is required under TMC 15A-3: removal or alteration of any protected tree (heritage tree over 60 in. circumference at 24 in. above ground, any oak, or a Council-dedicated tree) on any property; any tree on undeveloped or subdividable property or in zones other than single- or two-family residential; or planting of an 'undesirable tree' (blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, coast redwood, other fast-growing species). source
- Complete the Tree Permit Application (tree table with species, circumference at 24 in., and reason) together with the Land Development Application form (rev. 2026), an aerial photo and/or site plan showing each numbered tree, and photographs of each tree with colored ribbon tied around the trunk, plus a preliminary planting plan if replacement landscaping is proposed; send as a PDF to planning@townoftiburon.gov (the form says plans@townoftiburon.gov). source
- Pay the application fee set by Council resolution; the fee schedule adopted by Resolution 32-2015 (effective 10/18/2015) lists Tree Permit: single tree $170, 2 through 4 trees $260, 5 or more trees $280 plus $55 per each additional tree (confirm the current amount with Planning, (415) 435-7390). source
- Once the application is complete the Planning Director mails courtesy notices to property owners within 300 feet (and affected residents or HOAs) at least 10 days before a decision, inspects the trees and site within 15 days, and may require a certified arborist report or tree inventory at the applicant's cost (TMC 15A-5(b), 15A-6). source
- The Planning Director issues or denies the permit (or refers it to the Design Review Board), attaching conditions such as replacement planting of up to 3:1, protective fencing or drip-line limits; the permit does not take effect until 10 days after it is granted, and the identifying ribbons must stay on the trees until the 10-day appeal period closes or any appeal is decided (TMC 15A-7, 15A-8(b)). source
- Remove or alter only the permitted trees within 180 days of final approval, unless the permit states a longer time or the Director grants a written extension (TMC 15A-9). source
| Timeline | Director site inspection within 15 days of a complete application; courtesy notices mailed at least 10 days before the decision; permit not effective for 10 days after grant (appeal period); permit valid 180 days. No overall decision deadline is published. “On applications for the alteration or removal of trees, the planning director shall within fifteen days inspect the trees and the site.” source |
|---|---|
| Appeal | TMC 15A-8: the Planning Director's decision may be appealed to the Design Review Board by written appeal filed with the Planning Department within 10 days of the decision (the code does not limit who may appeal); the Board hears the appeal within 30 days, action under the permit is suspended meanwhile, and the Board's decision is final. “The decision of the planning director may be appealed to the design review board. A written appeal must be filed with the planning department within ten days of the decision.” source |
| Replacement | TMC 15A-7(b): 'Replacement of removed trees, on a basis of up to three to one, may also be required as a condition of approval.' No fixed ratio, size, or in-lieu fee is set in the code; the application asks for a preliminary planting plan if replacement landscaping is proposed and encourages native, drought-resistant species. source |
| Forms | Tree Permit Application (with Chapter 15A excerpts and Land Development Application, rev. 2026) · Tree Permits page (Community Development, Planning Division) · Community Development Department fee schedule, Resolution 32-2015 (Exhibit A: Planning & Zoning Permits, Tree Permit fees) |
Process verified October 9, 2026 against the city's code, forms and department pages.
The Permit Process: Step by Step
Measure the tree circumference
Measure the trunk circumference at 24 inches above ground level. Over 60 inches is a heritage tree, regardless of species. Oaks are protected at tree size (20-inch circumference, or 15 feet tall), and any tree on undeveloped land or outside single- and two-family zones needs a permit. Verify with the Planning Division at (415) 435-7390.
Get an arborist assessment
An arborist report is not a standard application attachment; the planning director may require a report by a certified arborist satisfactory to the town, at applicant cost, when reasonably necessary (TMC § 15A-5(b)). If you commission one, a report from an arborist holding the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification documenting the reason for removal and tree condition can support the application.
Prepare permit application materials
Gather aerial photograph or site plan, colored ribbon identification of the tree, and detailed ground-level photographs showing the tree in context. Application must document the tree's location, condition, and removal justification.
Submit application to Planning Division
File the Tree Permit application with the Community Development Department's Planning Division at (415) 435-7390 or planning@townoftiburon.gov. Include the aerial photo or site plan, tree identification, ground photographs, removal justification, and any arborist report the director requests. The director inspects the trees and site within 15 days (TMC § 15A-6).
Notice, decision, and 10-day appeal period
Before deciding, the planning director mails courtesy notices to owners within 300 feet at least 10 days ahead (TMC § 15A-6). Once a permit is granted it does not take effect for 10 days, during which any person may appeal to the design review board; an appeal suspends the permit until the board rules (§ 15A-8). Plan for this delay in your timeline.
Receive approval and schedule work
Once the 10-day appeal period expires without an appeal, the permit takes effect and you may schedule removal with a licensed, insured tree service. The Town publishes no fixed timeline; permits become effective after the 10-day appeal period.
Arborist Notes: Tiburon
Measure at 24 inches above ground
Tiburon's heritage threshold is 60 inches circumference at 24 inches above ground, roughly 19 inches in diameter. Every listed oak is protected at any size: coast live, blue, California black, interior live, canyon live, Engelmann and valley. Simpler than tiered systems, but it covers nearly every oak on the peninsula. Blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress and coast redwood are listed as undesirable, with removal favored.
View work runs through two chapters
View and sunlight disputes run under Chapter 15; protected trees under Chapter 15A. Cutting a protected oak, yours or a neighbor's, to open a Bay view still needs a Chapter 15A permit. Tiburon homeowners treat heritage oaks as permanent assets; the ordinance agrees.
Access and the paper trail
Access is the biggest premium here. Paradise Drive is narrow, some waterfront lots are reached by boat, and hillsides keep standard equipment out. The application wants an aerial photo or site plan and ribbon-tagged photos of each tree. The planning director inspects within 15 days, and an approved permit waits 10 days for appeals.
When to call me
The application does not list an arborist report, but the planning director can require one to decide. The form itself says to contact an arborist if you do not know the species. In an emergency the fire marshal declares the hazard, but only the police chief, public works superintendent, planning director or town manager can authorize removal.
Tiburon 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 Tiburon
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in Tiburon?
Emergency removal/alteration authorized only by police chief, PW superintendent, planning director, or town manager (fire marshal DECLARES hazard but does not authorize), report next business day (15A-4(b)); permit ineffective for 10 days after grant (appeal window) (verified 2026-07-31)
What is the fine for removing a tree without a permit in Tiburon?
Public-nuisance abatement + full enforcement-cost recovery (15A-10); replacement up to 3:1 discretionary condition (15A-7(b)); no fine schedule in Ch. 15A (verified 2026-07-31)
How long does a tree removal permit take in Tiburon?
Director site inspection within 15 days of a complete application; courtesy notices mailed at least 10 days before the decision; permit not effective for 10 days after grant (appeal period); permit valid 180 days. No overall decision deadline is published. (verified 2026-07-31)
Does Tiburon require an arborist report for a tree removal permit?
Sometimes required. At Planning Director discretion: TMC 15A-5(b) lets the director require 'a report by a certified arborist satisfactory to the town, and/or a tree inventory' when reasonably necessary to make a determination, at applicant cost. The standard Tree Permit Application (Community Development Dept, with Land Development Application rev. 2026) does not list an arborist report among its required attachments (application form, aerial photo/site plan, ribbon-tagged tree photos, optional planting plan); it only advises contacting an arborist if the species is unknown. The director inspects the trees and site within 15 days (15A-6(c)). (verified 2026-07-31)
Can I remove a tree for fire safety in Tiburon without a permit?
Exempt from the permit when the conditions are met. If the fire marshal declares a tree a fire hazard, the chief of police, public works superintendent, planning director or town manager may authorize its removal without a permit; the removal must be reported to the planning director on the next business day (TMC 15A-4(b)). (verified 2026-07-31)
How does Tiburon measure a tree for the permit threshold?
Trunk circumference at 24 inches above grade. 60" circumference at 24" above ground (heritage); oaks any size (verified 2026-07-31)
Do I need a permit to remove a heritage tree in Tiburon?
Yes. Tiburon's protected trees are broader than the heritage threshold: any tree over 60-inch circumference (measured 24 inches above ground) is a heritage tree, but every oak (coast live, blue, California black, interior live, canyon live, Engelmann, or valley oak) is also protected once it reaches tree size (20-inch circumference at 24 inches, or 15 feet tall), as are council-dedicated trees (TMC § 15A-2). Permits are additionally required for removing or altering any tree on undeveloped property, town property, or any lot outside single- and two-family residential zones (§ 15A-3). Removal requires a permit from the Community Development Department's Planning Division, (415) 435-7390 or planning@townoftiburon.gov. The application must include an aerial photograph or site plan, colored ribbon tree identification, and detailed ground photographs. Once a permit is granted it does not take effect for 10 days, during which any person may appeal to the design review board (TMC § 15A-8). Allow several weeks: the director inspects within 15 days of a complete application, neighbors get at least 10 days' courtesy notice before the decision, and an approved permit cannot be used for 10 more days while appeals may be filed (TMC §§ 15A-6, 15A-8); confirm current processing estimates with the Planning Division.
What is a heritage tree in Tiburon?
A heritage tree in Tiburon is any tree with a trunk circumference exceeding 60 inches, measured 24 inches above ground level. Species does not matter for the heritage tier, but it is only one of three protected categories: every oak of tree size (20-inch circumference at 24 inches, or 15 feet tall) and council-dedicated trees are also protected (TMC § 15A-2). Removal or alteration of a protected tree is prohibited without a Planning Division permit. The process requires aerial photos, colored ribbon identification, and site photographs. Unpermitted removal or alteration is a public nuisance subject to abatement, with all enforcement costs recoverable from the violator, on top of the code's general remedies (TMC § 15A-10).
What happens if I remove a heritage tree without a permit in Tiburon?
Unpermitted removal or alteration is a public nuisance subject to abatement, with all enforcement costs recoverable from the violator, on top of the code's general remedies (TMC § 15A-10). Always obtain a permit before removing any protected tree. If injury or property damage is imminently threatened, or the fire marshal declares a tree a fire hazard, the police chief, public works superintendent, director of community development, or town manager may authorize emergency removal without a permit; the work must be reported to the planning director the next business day (TMC § 15A-4(b)).
Can I trim a heritage tree in Tiburon?
Pruning of a protected tree (heritage trees, oaks of tree size, dedicated trees) is subject to Chapter 15A permitting depending on the extent of work. Routine maintenance pruning that preserves an existing view is exempt, but crown reduction that significantly affects a protected tree's health or appearance is an 'alteration' that requires a permit from the planning director (§§ 15A-2, 15A-3). Contact the Planning Division at (415) 435-7390 to determine whether your proposed work needs a permit.
Do I need a tree safety inspection in Tiburon?
A tree safety inspection (arborist assessment) costs $400 to $1,200 and is recommended for any tree showing signs of decline, leaning, or storm damage, particularly on Tiburon hillsides where wind exposure and landslide risk are concerns. For protected tree removal permits, an arborist report is not a standard attachment, but the planning director may require one from a certified arborist at applicant cost (TMC § 15A-5(b)); a report from an arborist holding the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification can support the application. Pre-purchase assessments are increasingly standard on Tiburon's multi-million-dollar waterfront estates. Post-storm inspections are critical within 48 hours of major weather events.
What is the 10-day appeal period in Tiburon?
After the planning director grants a tree permit, it does not take effect for 10 days. During this period, any person may appeal to the design review board, which hears the appeal within 30 days; an appeal suspends the permit until the board rules (TMC § 15A-8). Plan your project timeline to account for this delay. Work performed before the appeal period expires violates the ordinance.
Tree permits in nearby cities
Belvedere · Corte Madera · Fairfax · Larkspur · Marin County (unincorporated) · Mill Valley · Novato · Ross
Compare all 56 cities in the 56-city ordinance table, or run the permit checker.
Not sure what Tiburon 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.