Tree Removal Permits in San Francisco, CA

Verified against San Francisco city sources · last checked 2026-08-06

Do you need a permit?

It depends on the tree

Most trees sitting entirely inside a San Francisco backyard are unregulated and need no permit. The rule that catches people is the Significant Tree: if any part of your tree's trunk is within 10 feet of the public right-of-way and the tree exceeds any one of three thresholds — 12 inches diameter at breast height, 20 feet tall, or a 15-foot canopy — removing it requires a permit from Public Works, on the same process, fees, and 30-day public posting as a street tree. Landmark Trees designated by the Board of Supervisors, and any tree in the public right-of-way, always need a permit.

Size threshold

San Francisco Public Works Code Sec. 810A(a): a significant tree is a tree "(1) on property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works or (2) on privately owned-property with any portion of its trunk within 10 feet of the public right-of-way, and (3) that satisfies at least one of the following criteria: (a) a diameter at breast height (DBH) in excess of twelve (12) inches, (b) a height in excess of twenty (20) feet, or (c) a canopy in excess of fifteen (15) feet."

What's protected in San Francisco

Significant Tree — on private property with any portion of the trunk within 10 feet of the public right-of-way and meeting at least one size criterion
Landmark Tree — designated by the Board of Supervisors for rarity, size, age, structure, ecological contribution, or historical or cultural importance; protected from physical damage and removal
Street Tree — any tree in the public right-of-way

How to apply in San Francisco

1
Submit an online application or a completed hardcopy form to San Francisco Public Works.
2
Name the replacement tree species and number on the form. Supporting documents may be required, such as repair invoices for a sidewalk-damage claim or site plans for a construction-related removal.
3
Pay the applicable fee.
4
If Public Works recommends removal, the city gives notice to interested organizations and nearby owners and occupants and posts a notice on the tree itself 30 days before the removal date. Hazard trees use a 15-day window instead.
5
If written objections come in during that window, the Director holds a public hearing, noticed by posting on the tree and by mail at least seven days ahead.
6
The Director issues a written decision, which is final and appealable to the Board of Appeals. Permits must be exercised within six months unless extended.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Fee: Currently published by SF Public Works: $488 for 1-3 trees where the reason is disease, hazard, or sidewalk damage; $983 for 1-3 trees for construction or development; $1,308 for 4-9 trees; $1,966 for 10 or more. Base amounts in Public Works Code Sec. 806(b)(3)(A)(ii) are $300, $607, $808 and $1,214 respectively, annually CPI-adjusted, which is why the published figures are higher. There is no fee for a permit to plant a street tree unrelated to property development.
Penalties: Public Works Code Sec. 811(a): violations are chargeable as an infraction or a misdemeanor. "Every violation determined to be an infraction is punishable by a fine of $200 for a first violation and $400 for each additional violation within one year. Every violation determined to be a misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 and/or imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not to exceed six months, for each offense." Sec. 811(b)(2) adds civil penalties up to $500 for each day the violation continues. Sec. 811(c)(1) lets the Director require anyone who removes or destroys a tree in violation of Article 16 to pay "for each Tree removed or destroyed, a sum of $10,000 or the Tree's Replacement value, whichever is greater."
Ordinance: San Francisco Public Works Code, Article 16 (Urban Forestry Ordinance), Secs. 800–814. Key provisions: Sec. 806 (planting and removal of street trees), Sec. 810 (landmark trees), Sec. 810A (significant trees), Sec. 811 (penalties). Article 16.1 covers tree dispute resolution between neighbors.

Worth knowing

A Significant Tree on private property goes through the identical street-tree process. Sec. 810A(b)(1): "Removal of a significant tree(s) on privately-owned property shall be subject to the rules and procedures governing permits for removal of street trees as set forth in Section 806(b)."
The code says "in excess of" 12 inches, 20 feet and 15 feet, while the city web page says "or greater." If your tree is right at a threshold, call before you cut.
Under StreetTreeSF, Public Works maintains street trees citywide on regular cycles. City maintenance does not remove the permit requirement — you still need a permit to remove a street tree.
Emergency removal without the notice and hearing process is allowed only where the Director determines in writing that there is manifest danger and immediate necessity; the owner may owe the city's costs.
Public Works publishes a weekly-updated list of posted tree-removal notices and Board of Appeals hearings. Written appeals go to urbanforestry@sfdpw.org within the 15- or 30-day posting window.
Construction near a protected tree is separately regulated — grading, excavation, staging or any construction activity within the dripline triggers protection requirements, and a fine may be issued for lack of tree protection.
San Francisco's trigger is location plus size, not species. We found no species-based exemption or species list.

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— The verbatim ordinance text of Sec. 810 (Landmark Trees). The landmark description here comes from SF Public Works web pages rather than the code itself.
— The suite number for the Bureau of Urban Forestry, which is inconsistent across official SF Public Works pages (Suite 1000 on two pages, Suite 300 on another, "2nd floor" on a third). Confirm by phone.
— The exact URL of the online tree removal permit application portal.
— Whether a tree entirely on private property and more than 10 feet from the public right-of-way is ever regulated outside of Landmark designation or a project condition.

Sources

Who to contact in San Francisco

Bureau of Urban Forestry, San Francisco Public Works (Urban Forestry Permit Center)

628-652-TREE (8733) urbanforestry@sfdpw.org Official page

49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 1000, San Francisco, CA 94103

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Size threshold

What's protected in San Francisco

Significant Tree — on private property with any portion of the trunk within 10 feet of the public right-of-way and meeting at least one size criterion

Landmark Tree — designated by the Board of Supervisors for rarity, size, age, structure, ecological contribution, or historical or cultural importance; protected from physical damage and removal

Street Tree — any tree in the public right-of-way

How to apply in San Francisco

1
Submit an online application or a completed hardcopy form to San Francisco Public Works.
2
Name the replacement tree species and number on the form. Supporting documents may be required, such as repair invoices for a sidewalk-damage claim or site plans for a construction-related removal.
3
Pay the applicable fee.
4
If Public Works recommends removal, the city gives notice to interested organizations and nearby owners and occupants and posts a notice on the tree itself 30 days before the removal date. Hazard trees use a 15-day window instead.
5
If written objections come in during that window, the Director holds a public hearing, noticed by posting on the tree and by mail at least seven days ahead.
6
The Director issues a written decision, which is final and appealable to the Board of Appeals. Permits must be exercised within six months unless extended.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Fee

Currently published by SF Public Works: $488 for 1-3 trees where the reason is disease, hazard, or sidewalk damage; $983 for 1-3 trees for construction or development; $1,308 for 4-9 trees; $1,966 for 10 or more. Base amounts in Public Works Code Sec. 806(b)(3)(A)(ii) are $300, $607, $808 and $1,214 respectively, annually CPI-adjusted, which is why the published figures are higher. There is no fee for a permit to plant a street tree unrelated to property development.

Penalties

Public Works Code Sec. 811(a): violations are chargeable as an infraction or a misdemeanor. "Every violation determined to be an infraction is punishable by a fine of $200 for a first violation and $400 for each additional violation within one year. Every violation determined to be a misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 and/or imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not to exceed six months, for each offense." Sec. 811(b)(2) adds civil penalties up to $500 for each day the violation continues. Sec. 811(c)(1) lets the Director require anyone who removes or destroys a tree in violation of Article 16 to pay "for each Tree removed or destroyed, a sum of $10,000 or the Tree's Replacement value, whichever is greater."

Ordinance

San Francisco Public Works Code, Article 16 (Urban Forestry Ordinance), Secs. 800–814. Key provisions: Sec. 806 (planting and removal of street trees), Sec. 810 (landmark trees), Sec. 810A (significant trees), Sec. 811 (penalties). Article 16.1 covers tree dispute resolution between neighbors.

Worth knowing

A Significant Tree on private property goes through the identical street-tree process. Sec. 810A(b)(1): "Removal of a significant tree(s) on privately-owned property shall be subject to the rules and procedures governing permits for removal of street trees as set forth in Section 806(b)."
The code says "in excess of" 12 inches, 20 feet and 15 feet, while the city web page says "or greater." If your tree is right at a threshold, call before you cut.
Under StreetTreeSF, Public Works maintains street trees citywide on regular cycles. City maintenance does not remove the permit requirement — you still need a permit to remove a street tree.
Emergency removal without the notice and hearing process is allowed only where the Director determines in writing that there is manifest danger and immediate necessity; the owner may owe the city's costs.
Public Works publishes a weekly-updated list of posted tree-removal notices and Board of Appeals hearings. Written appeals go to urbanforestry@sfdpw.org within the 15- or 30-day posting window.
Construction near a protected tree is separately regulated — grading, excavation, staging or any construction activity within the dripline triggers protection requirements, and a fine may be issued for lack of tree protection.
San Francisco's trigger is location plus size, not species. We found no species-based exemption or species list.

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— The verbatim ordinance text of Sec. 810 (Landmark Trees). The landmark description here comes from SF Public Works web pages rather than the code itself.
— The suite number for the Bureau of Urban Forestry, which is inconsistent across official SF Public Works pages (Suite 1000 on two pages, Suite 300 on another, "2nd floor" on a third). Confirm by phone.
— The exact URL of the online tree removal permit application portal.
— Whether a tree entirely on private property and more than 10 feet from the public right-of-way is ever regulated outside of Landmark designation or a project condition.