Tree removal permit rules in Sunol, CA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Alameda County regulates removal of protected trees including heritage oaks, trees over specified diameters, and trees in designated natural resource areas. Permits are often required before removal on private property.
Alameda County regulates tree removal through zoning overlays and protected tree provisions. Heritage trees, native oaks (coast live oak, valley oak, blue oak), California bay laurels, redwoods, and trees exceeding specified trunk diameters (commonly 10 to 12 inches DBH for oaks) may require a tree removal permit from the Alameda County Community Development Agency before removal. Emergency removal of hazardous or dead trees is generally allowed without a permit but must be documented with photos and, where possible, an arborist report. Removal for construction projects requires tree evaluation during the planning review. Mitigation may include replacement planting at a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio or in-lieu fees. The Williamson Act, creek setbacks, and CEQA review may add requirements for large projects. In VHFHSZ, hazardous tree removal is encouraged as part of defensible space and may qualify for expedited review.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle tree removal & heritage trees.
See how Sunol's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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