Daly City, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Director of Public Works
- Live healthy tree
- Requester pays removal cost plus cash deposit
- Natural death/damage
- City removes and replaces at no cost
- Unnatural causes
- Owner pays removal and replacement
- Code chapter
- DCMC 12.40.120-12.40.140
Summary
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.
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to cut down, remove or destroy any tree growing upon any parkway, easement, right-of-ways or other publicly owned area without first securing a permit to do so from the director of public works.
Full Breakdown
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. 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. 030(G)).
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the street tree in front of my Daly City home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Daly City
California rules heatmap·Compare Daly City to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle tree removal & heritage trees.