San Rafael, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in San Rafael, 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
- Minimum tree size
- 24-inch box
- Trunk caliper
- 2 inches minimum
- Applies to
- new subdivisions only
- Species approval
- city list or staff approval
- Reviewed by
- community development & public works
Summary
New subdivisions in San Rafael must plant street trees on every new public or private street to city and public works specifications under SRMC §15.06.100: a subdivision-improvement rule, not a private tree-removal permit ordinance.
Street trees shall be required on all new public or private streets proposed to serve a new subdivision. Unless selected from a city-approved street tree list, the species, spacing and placement of street trees shall be approved by the department of community development and the public works department. All street trees shall be installed at a minimum size of twenty-four inch (24″) box with a two inch (2″) caliper trunk and shall include root barriers and/or at-grade screens, in accordance with the city specifications. Depending upon tree species, street trees shall be planted at thirty foot (30') centers.
(Ord. 1787 § 1 (part), 2002).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37).
Full Breakdown
San Rafael's subdivision ordinance, SRMC §15.06.100, requires street trees on all new public or private streets built to serve a subdivision. Species must come from the city's approved street tree list or be approved by the community development and public works departments, and each tree must be installed at a minimum 24-inch box size with a 2-inch caliper trunk, plus root barriers or at-grade screens per city specifications. This is a development-approval standard tied to new subdivisions. San Rafael's code does not carry a separate citywide permit requirement for removing trees on already-developed private lots outside the wildfire vegetation-management and hillside-overlay standards found elsewhere in the code.
Violations & Fines
Street tree noncompliance can hold up final map recordation and subdivision improvement acceptance; the city engineer and community development department enforce species, size and installation standards before improvements are approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule cover trees on existing private lots?
Who approves the tree species for a new subdivision?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Rafael
California rules heatmap·Compare San Rafael to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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