Tree removal permit rules in Daly City, CA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
It is unlawful to cut down or remove any tree on a Daly City parkway, easement, or right-of-way without a Public Works permit under Municipal Code section 12.40.120. Removal of a live, healthy tree is at the requester's cost; trees that die of natural causes are removed and replaced by the city at no cost to the owner.
Daly City Municipal Code Chapter 12.40 (Urban Forestry) requires a permit application, stated reasons for removal, and a permit fee before any live growing tree on publicly owned area may be cut down, removed, transplanted, or destroyed (section 12.40.120). If removal of a live healthy tree is granted, the requester pays removal costs and must post a cash deposit set by the Public Works Director to ensure job completion and cleanup; removal specifications and inspection of a private contractor's work are required by the city. Under section 12.40.130, the permit conditions may be waived for street trees damaged beyond repair or killed by natural causes, which the city removes and replaces at no cost to the property owner, but if the Public Works Director determines the tree was damaged or died of unnatural causes, the owner pays removal and replacement costs. Chapter 12.40 governs publicly owned trees; trees on private property are addressed as nuisances only when dead, diseased, or hazardous (sections 12.40.050 and 8.16.030(G)).
Unpermitted removal or destruction of a public tree is unlawful and may be pursued through enforcement, appeals, and damage-recovery provisions (sections 12.40.030 and 12.40.100), including billing the responsible party for damages. An owner whose street tree died of unnatural causes is served a correction notice and pays removal and replacement costs.
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