Permits
Below are the ordinances in which describe what trees are PROTECTED and REQUIRE a permit in the various cities of the Bay Area.
Since ordinances are constantly being amended we ask that you please verify with your local government before proceeding with your tree removal or pruning and not solely rely on the information below.
Also, certain neighborhoods of all cities have HOA and their own ordinances in conjunction with City ordinances, please review your HOA tree ordinances. Most cities only require the homeowner to submit permit applications, however, the City of Livermore requests that a Certified Arborist sign off on the application, and in this case, we will be happy to aid in the permit process.
- Livermore
- Pleasanton
- Dublin
- San Ramon
- Any Native tree with a circumference of 24 inches or greater measured at 4.5 feet above ground is a protected tree (see below for the list of Native Trees.)
- Any Non-Native Tree with a 60 inch circumference or bigger measured at 4.5 feet above ground is a protected tree
- Any tree within 10 feet from the edge of the street curb, regardless of its size, is a protected tree.
- City Of Livermore requires that the homeowner maintain street trees & ensuring that the canopies are 8 feet off the sidewalk, 10 feet off the edge of the curb and 12 feet off of the street.
- White Alder (Agnus Rhombifolia)
- California Bay (Umbellularia Californica)
- California Buckeye (Aesculus Californica)
- Madrone (Arbutus Menzieslii)
- Big Leaf Maple (Acer Macrophyllum)
- Blue Oak (Quercus Douglasii)
- California Black Oak (Quercus KelloggII)
- Canyon Live Oak (Quercus Chrysolepis)
- Coast Live Oak (Quercus Agrifolia)
- Interior Live Oak (Quercus Wislizenii)
- Scrub Oak (Quercus Berberidifolia)
- Valley Oak (Quercus Lobata)
- Grey Pine (Pinus Sabiniana)
- California Sycamore (Platanus Racemosa)
- California Black Walnut (Juglans Hindsii Californica)
Any tree regardless of it’s species that has a 55-inch circumference or bigger measured at 4.5 feet above ground and or has a height of 35 feet or taller are protected trees.
Please contact City Of Pleasanton Planning Division (925) 931-5600.
Any oak, bay, cypress, maple, redwood, buckley and sycamore tree having a trunk or main stem of twenty four inches inches in diameter measured at 4.5 feet above ground level are protected trees.
Any tree approved in development plans. Any tree planted in place of unlawful removals.
Please contact city of Dublin Community Development Department (925) 833-6610.
If your property is a single family residence that cannot be further subdivided 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 a commercial property or on a property owned by a Home Owner’s Association then a tree removal permit is required.
- Danville
- Hayward
- Oakland
- Walnut Creek
Any tree that has a 36-inch diameter or bigger at 4.5 feet above ground is a protected tree.
Here’s a list of protected trees in Danville regardless of size:
- Coast Live Oak (Quercus Agrfolia)
- Valley Oak (Quercus Lobata)
- Canyon Live Oak (Quercus Chrysol)
- Blue Oak (Quercus Doulgassi)
- California Black Oak (Quercus Kelloggi)
- Interior Live Oak (Quercus Wislizenii)
- White Alder (Alnus Rhombifolia)
- California Bay (Umbellularia California)
- California Buckeye (Aesculus Californica)
- California Sycamore (Platanus Racemosa)
- Madrone (Arbutus Menziesii)
- London Plane Tree (Platanus Acerifolia)
Trees that require permit for removal in Hayward are trees of defined size, protected species, “street” trees, and “dedication” or “memorial” trees. Size specifications include any tree measured at 8-inch diameter (25.12-inch circumference) 4.5 feet above ground.
Protected Species include:
- Big Leaf Maple (Acer Macrophyllum)
- California Buckeye (Aesculus Californica)
- Madrone (Arbutus Menziesii)
- Western Dogwood (Cornus Nuttallii)
- California Sycamore (Platanus Racemosa)
- Coast Live Oak (Quercus Agrifolia)
- Canyon Live Oak (Quercus Chrysolepis)
- Blue Oak (Quercus Douglassii)
- Oregon White Oak (Quercus Garryana)
- California Black Oak (Quercus Kelloggi)
- Valley Oak (Quercus Lobata)
- Interior Live Oak (Quercus Wislizenii)
- California Bay (Umbellularia Californica)
Street trees require permits for removal because Hayward has a city ordinance that every home should have at least one tree in the area facing the street, with one on each side of corner homes. Memorial or Dedication trees are trees that serve as local monuments, and require a permit to be removed.
On any property, trees protected by size: any tree larger than 9 inches in diameter (28.26 inches circumference) except Eucalyptus and Monterey Pine.
Trees protected by species:
- California Oak
- Coast Live Oak
Special exceptions:
Monterey Pine are to be protected in the case where a lot is being cleared for development. In this case, if more than Five Monterey Pines 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.
In Walnut Creek, protected trees include trees within city limits that are larger than 9in in diameter (28in in circumference) measured 4.5 feet above ground. Permit process requires written statement of the owner of the property for a valid reason, such as dead, dying, diseased, or destroying property. Up to 4 trees may be removed on one permit, but they must each be assessed by a city arborist.
For unincorporated areas, please see the tree ordinance information in your county: Contra Costa, Alameda.
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