Private trees may be pruned by owners, but protected species and street trees require city approval. Fire zone pruning is mandatory under PRC 4291 defensible space rules.
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 12.45 (Street Trees) and Chapter 6.24 (Tree Ordinance) regulate pruning. Street trees - those in the public right-of-way - may only be pruned by the Berkeley Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department or a licensed arborist with a permit; unauthorized pruning triggers fines up to 1,000 dollars. Private trees of protected species (Coast Live Oak, California Bay, Coast Redwood, and any tree with a 12-inch or greater DBH in the hills) require a Tree Removal or Major Pruning Permit if more than 25 percent of the canopy is removed. Routine thinning, deadwooding, and fire-safety pruning are allowed without permit. In the VHFHSZ, PRC 4291 requires limbing trees up 6 feet (or 1/3 tree height) and removing branches within 10 feet of a chimney or roof. Cuts must be clean with no topping allowed. ISA-certified arborists are recommended. Contact Parks at (510) 981-6660 or Forestry at forestry@berkeleyca.gov.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle tree trimming.
See how Berkeley's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.