San Francisco Tree Trimming Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

San Francisco's Urban Forestry Ordinance (Public Works Code Article 16) establishes one of the most comprehensive tree protection frameworks in California. The ordinance governs all trees within the public right-of-way (street trees) and significant trees on private property throughout the city. San Francisco Public Works, through its Bureau of Urban Forestry, administers the permit system and manages the city's urban forest.

Street trees are defined as any tree located within the public right-of-way, including sidewalks, medians, and planting strips. As of July 2017, the City of San Francisco assumed full responsibility for the routine maintenance (pruning, watering during establishment, and pest management) of all approximately 125,000 street trees through the StreetTreeSF program, funded by a dedicated assessment. Prior to 2017, adjacent property owners bore the maintenance responsibility for street trees, which led to inconsistent care. Under the current system, property owners may not prune, trim, remove, or damage any street tree without prior written authorization from the Bureau of Urban Forestry. Requests for street tree pruning or maintenance should be submitted through SF 311 or directly to the Bureau at (415) 554-6700.

Removal of any street tree requires a formal tree removal permit, which involves an application to the Bureau of Urban Forestry, a public notice period (typically 30 days during which neighbors and interested parties may comment or object), and a review by the Urban Forestry Council. Tree removal permits are granted only for documented reasons such as verified hazardous condition (confirmed by a certified arborist report), death or irreversible decline of the tree, or infrastructure conflict that cannot be resolved through alternative measures. Approved removals almost always require replacement planting — typically at a 1:1 ratio or greater, with the replacement species selected from the city's approved street tree list appropriate for the specific microclimate and planting conditions.

On private property, the Urban Forestry Ordinance requires a permit for the removal of any tree with a trunk diameter at breast height (DBH — measured at 4.5 feet above grade) of 12 inches or more. This threshold is intended to protect significant mature trees that contribute to the urban canopy. Property owners seeking to remove a qualifying private tree must apply for a removal permit, provide an arborist report if the tree exceeds certain size thresholds, and may be required to plant replacement trees. Trees located in Residential Design Guidelines areas or within the jurisdiction of neighborhood-specific planning controls may face additional review requirements.

Landmark Trees receive the highest level of protection. A tree may be designated as a Landmark Tree by the Board of Supervisors based on criteria including exceptional size, age, species rarity, historical association, or ecological value. Once designated, a Landmark Tree may not be removed except under extraordinary circumstances such as imminent danger to life or property, and removal requires Board of Supervisors approval. Damaging or destroying a Landmark Tree carries the most severe penalties under the ordinance.

Routine pruning of private trees that does not involve removal and does not affect street trees generally does not require a permit, but all pruning should follow ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) best practices. Topping (indiscriminate cutting of branches to stubs) is strongly discouraged and may constitute a violation if performed on a protected tree. The Urban Forestry Council, an advisory body appointed by the Mayor and Board of Supervisors, provides policy guidance on urban forest management and reviews significant tree removal cases.