Fremont, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Sec. 040 flatly prohibits removing, damaging, or relocating a private or landmark tree "except as follows": under a landscape architect's permit posted on the lot so it is visible from the street, when the tree is permit-exempt under Sec. 050, when authorized as part of a city development entitlement, or, for landmark trees, when the city council authorizes it. Permits are required for a private tree with 18 inches DBH or more, a native or exceptional-adaptability tree at 10 inches DBH or more, any tree on a vacant or underdeveloped lot at 6 inches DBH or more, a tree tied to a pending development application at 6 inches DBH or more, a tree required as prior mitigation or development condition, or any one of six-or-more same-species trees on a lot each having 6+ inches DBH (Sec.

050(a)). Applications filed when no development project is pending go to the landscape architect, are free except for any required arborist's report, and must be submitted at least 15 days before the proposed work, describing the trees, the reason for removal, a work schedule, and a mitigation proposal (Sec. 110). The landscape architect balances statutory criteria under Sec. 070, weighing hazard, disease, short life expectancy, or blocking a project against a tree's aesthetic, habitat, erosion-control, or windbreak value. Authorized removal requires mitigation of a 24-inch box replacement tree (15-gallon for single-family homes) or an equivalent in-lieu fee (Sec. 080).