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Hayward Tree Removal Requirements
List of Protected Trees that require permit:
1. Big Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
2. California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)
3. Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)
4. Western Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii)
5. California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
6. Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
7. Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis)
8. Blue Oak (Quercus douglassii)
9. Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana)
10. California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggi)
11. Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)
12. Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizenii)
13. California Bay (Umbellularia californica)
The City of Hayward has provided an FAQ for residents regarding the removal/pruning of trees. Visit the City of Hayward Tree Removal/Pruning Permit, for the full article.
Fremont Tree Removal Requirements
For most cases in the City of Fremont, you need a permit to prune or remove a tree in your front yard. A permit is always required to remove, prune or plant a tree near a sidewalk or street. This applies to residents, HOA’s and businesses.
List of protected trees that require permit:
1. A tree having a DBH (Diameter at breast height) of six inches or more and located on a vacant or underdeveloped lot;
2. A tree having a DBH of six inches or more and located on a developed lot which is the subject of a contemplated or pending application for a development project;
3. A native tree or tree of exceptional adaptability to the Fremont area having a DBH of 10 inches or more;
4. A tree having a DBH of eighteen inches or more;
5. A tree that was required by the City to be planted or retained as mitigation for the removal of a tree;
6. A tree planted or retained as a condition of any City-conferred development project approval, including approvals conferred prior to adoption of this Chapter;
7. One of six or more trees of the same species that are located on the same lot and that each have six or more inches in DBH.
For more information about Tree Removal/Pruning Permits in Fremont, visit the full article and FAQ.
Union City Tree Removal Requirements
In the event that someone decides to remove or trim(pruning) a tree in Union City, an application shall first be made to the Director of Public Works of the City of Union City for a permit.
List of protected trees that require permit:
1. All trees which have a 35 inch or greater circumference of a trunk, or in the case of multi trunk trees, a total of 70 inches or more of the circumference of all trunks, where such trees are located on residential property.
2. All trees which have a 12 inch or greater circumference of any trunk, when removal relates to any transaction for which zoning approval or subdivision approval is required.
3. Any tree that existed at the time of a zoning approval or subdivision approval and was a specific subject of such approval or otherwise covered by #2 above
4. Any tree that was required to be planted by the terms of a zoning approval or a subdivision approval.
5. All trees which have a 12 inch or greater circumference of any trunk and are located on a vacant lot or undeveloped property.
6. All trees which have 12 inch or greater circumference of any trunk and are located on commercial, office, or industrial developed property.
To find more information about Union City’s Tree Ordinance, please visit Union City’s Tree Permit PDF
San Lorenzo Tree Removal Requirements
Alameda County Public Works Agency has an ordinance that protects all trees within its right-of-way (ROW). Most of the front yard trees in the Association lie in the County ROW.
County permits and HOA approval are required prior to removing any tree or pruning any tree limb over 1 inch in diameter. Alameda County can fine SLVHA homeowners over $5000 for violating the ordinance. The Association reimburses permit fees for tree trimming or planting. The member must provide proof of the work, an approved permit and the receipt of the $35 permit fees paid.
For more information about the permit process, the County ROW and to obtain applications, contact the Association office at 510-276-4554. To find more information about Tree removal or pruning in San Lorenzo, please visit the full article or FAQ.
Oakland Tree Removal Requirements
For Oakland on any property, trees are protected by size: any tree larger than 9in in diameter (28.26in circumference) except Eucalyptus and Monterey Pine.
Trees protected by species:
1. California Oak
2. Coast Live Oak
3. Special exceptions: Monterey Pine is to be protected in the case where a lot is being cleared for development. In this case, if more than 5 Monterey Pine are to be removed, a permit is needed unless the lot size is larger than 1 acre. If the lot must be cleared for reasons other than development, no permit is needed.
For more information, visit Oakland Protected Trees for a summary of the city ordinance. Or for the city code in full, visit Oakland City Code of Ordinance Chapter 12.36, Protected Trees.
Berkeley Tree Removal Requirements
In the city of Berkeley, the only trees that require a permit to remove include city trees and coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). Coast live oak is the only species that the city restricts the removal of on private property.
City trees are:
1. Any tree growing between the sidewalk and the street or in a street median
2. Any tree in a city park
3. Any other property owned by the City of Berkeley
For more information, please visit the City of Berkeley’s page on Tree Pruning or Removal or visit the permit directly at Tree Removal Permit.
Livermore Tree Removal Requirements
Trees that require a permit for removal in Livermore are native species with a trunk circumference of 24 inches, non-native species with a circumference of 60 inches, and street trees, which are property of the city.
Examples of native species are:
1. Alder, White (Alnus rhombifolia)
2. Bay, California (Umbellularia californica)
3. Buckeye, California (Aesculus californica)
4. Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)
5. Maple, Big Leaf (Acer macrophyllum)
6. Oak, Blue (Quercus douglasii)
7. Oak, California Black (Quercus kelloggii)
8. Oak, Canyon Live (Quercus chrysolepis)
9. Oak, Coast Live (Quercus agrifolia)
10. Oak, Interior Live (Quercus wislizenii)
11. Oak, Scrub (Quercus berberidifolia)
12. Oak, Valley (Quercus lobata)
13. Pine, Grey (Pinus sabiniana)
14. Sycamore, California (Platanus racemosa)
15. Walnut, California Black (Juglans hindsii californica)
For more information, please visit Livermore’s Landscape Maintenance Page.
Dublin Tree Removal Requirements
Trees that require a permit for removal in Dublin are “Heritage trees.” Heritage trees in
Dublin include trees measuring more than 24 inches diameter (75.36in circumference) at
4.5ft above ground and certain species.
The protected species are:
1. Oak
2. Bay
3. Cypress
4. Maple
5. Redwood
6. Buckeye
7. Sycamore
To learn more, please read Dublin’s Heritage Trees Ordinance, or view their FAQ
Pleasanton Tree Removal Requirements
Trees that require a removal permit in the City of Pleasanton include “Heritage” trees. Heritage trees are any trees measuring 55in in circumference at 4.5ft above ground, or measuring greater than or equal to 35ft in height.
For a city-issued copy of this ordinance, visit the Tree Removal Brochure.
San Ramon Tree Removal Requirements
In the City of San Ramon if your property is a single family residence, then you do not need a tree removal permit to remove a tree on your property except if you wish to remove a native oak tree 6 inches in diameter measured 54 inches above the ground.
If a non-oak tree, not including a willow, fruit tree, eucalyptus, alder, cottonwood, or pine tree, is greater than 8 inches in diameter measured 54 inches above the ground and is on commercial property or on a property owned by a Homeowner’s Association then a tree removal permit is required.
For more information on San Ramon’s Tree Removal Ordinance, please visit San Ramon FAQ’s
Walnut Creek Tree Removal Requirements
In the City of Walnut Creek, protected trees that require a tree removal permit include trees within city limits that are larger than 9in in diameter (28in in circumference) measured 4.5ft above ground.
For more information, please visit the City of Walnut Creek Tree Removal Permit.
Lafayette Tree Removal Requirements
In the City of Lafayette, a tree removal permit is required for removing protected trees that are on public or private land.
List of protected trees:
1. A tree with a trunk diameter of 12″ or more, of an indigenous species (such as an oak, bay, buckeye or madrone), and on a developed property.
2. A tree of any size or species, and designated to be preserved as part of an approved development application (check with a planner).
3. A tree with a trunk diameter of 6″ or more, or one component trunk of a multi-trunked tree with a diameter of 4″ or more, and of a native riparian species (such as a maple, box elder, alder, walnut, cottonwood, willow, oak, bay, buckeye, or elderberry).
4. A tree of any species with a diameter of 6″ or more, and on an undeveloped property.
5. A replacement tree planted as restitution for a violation of this chapter.
6. A native tree of any size or species within a restricted ridgeline area.
7. A tree of any size or species within a public right-of-way or a private access easement.
8. A tree of any size or species within a commercial zoning district.
For more information, please visit The City of Lafayette Protected Tree Ordinance
Orinda Tree Removal Requirements
Trees in the City of Orinda require a tree removal permit if the tree is:
1. On undeveloped property and measure 6in diameter (18.84in circumference) at 4.5ft above ground
2. On developed property and measures 12in diameter (37.68in circumference) at 4.5ft above ground
3. Measure 4.5in diameter (14.13in circumference) and are within 30ft of a waterway or streambed
4. Contractually obliged to be permitted for removal (between the zoning board and the contractor).
For more information, visit The City of Orinda Tree Removal Permit
South San Francisco Tree Removal Requirements
The City of South San Francisco has adopted a new Tree Preservation Ordinance. A tree removal permit is required in the City of South San Francisco for removal of any “protected tree.”
List of protected trees:
1. Any tree of the following species with a circumference of 75″ or more when measured 54″ above natural grade
a. Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus)
b. Black Acacia (Acacia melanoxylon)
c. Myoporum (Myoporum laetum)
d. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
e. Glossy Privet (Lingustrum lucidum)
f. Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra)
2. Any heritage tree of the following species with a circumference of 30″ or more when measured at 54″ above natural grade
a. California Bay (Umbellaria californica)
b. Oak (Quercus spp.)
c. Cedar (Cedrus spp.)
d. California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)
e. Catalina Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus var. asplenifolius)
f. Strawberry Tree (Arbutus spp.)
g. Mayten (Maytenus boaria)
h. Little Gem Dwarf Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’)
3. Any tree other than the species listed above with a circumference of 48″ or more when measured 54″ above natural grade
4. A tree or stand of trees so designated based upon findings that it is unique and of importance to the public due to its unusual appearance, location, historical significance
5. A stand of trees whereby each tree is dependent upon the others for survival
For more information, please visit the City of South San Francisco’s Trees Page.
San Mateo Tree Removal Requirements
Under San Mateo’s new ‘Protected Trees Ordinance’, a permit is required to remove any “Protected Trees” in the city of San Mateo.
List of protected trees:
1. Heritage Trees
a. All Oak (Quercus spp.) trees are “Heritage” if they have a trunk diameter of 10 inches or more.
b. All other species are “Heritage” if they have a trunk diameter of 15 inches or more
2. Street Trees
a. Trees growing along or within the public right of way or a designated planting easement.
For more information, please visit the City of San Mateo’s Tree Ordinance page
Redwood City Tree Removal Requirements
A Tree Preservation Ordinance protects all trees growing on private property with trunk sizes that exceed 38 inches in circumference (twelve inches in diameter) measured between six inches and 36 inches above ground. A tree removal permit will be required in Redwood City to remove any tree that meets the requirements of the Tree Preservation Ordinance.
For more information, please visit Redwood City’s Tree Permits page.
Mountain View Tree Removal Requirements
In an effort to protect the environment, the city of Mountain View regulates:
1. Trees of a specific size (trunk circumference) and species, known as Heritage trees
2. All trees located in planned developments (typically with HOA’s), multifamily complexes, and commercial/industrial properties
3. Trees located in the public right-of-way along streets, known as Street Trees, in parks, and other city-owned properties.
The removal of these regulated trees in Mountain View requires a tree removal permit. For more information, please visit the City of Mountain View’s Tree and Landscaping page
San Jose Tree Removal Requirements
In the City of San Jose a permit is required for tree removal if the tree is:
1. A street tree
2. A heritage tree
a. City of San Jose’s heritage tree list
3. An ordinance-size tree, live or dead
a. Single Trunk – 38 inches or more in circumference at 4 ½ feet above ground
b. Multi-trunk – The combined measurements of each trunk circumference, at 4 ½ feet above ground, add up to 38 inches or more in circumference
4. Any tree located on multifamily, commercial, industrial, or mixed use property or in a common area
For more information, please visit the City of San Jose’s Tree Removal Permits page
