San Francisco protects Significant Trees and Landmark Trees on private property under Public Works Code Article 16. Significant Trees are 20+ inch DBH within 10 feet of public right-of-way. Landmark Trees are nominated through public hearing. Removal requires Public Works permit, public posting, and 30-day appeal window.
San Francisco Public Works Code Article 16 (the Urban Forestry Ordinance) governs all street trees and creates two categories of protected private trees. A Significant Tree is any tree on private property that is within 10 feet of the public right-of-way and has either a 20-inch diameter at breast height, a 15-foot height, or a 15-foot canopy spread. A Landmark Tree is a tree of exceptional size, age, historical, or ecological value, nominated by any member of the public and approved by the Board of Supervisors after Urban Forestry Council review. Removal of either category requires a Public Works permit, a 30-day public notice posted on the tree, and a replanting plan. Construction adjacent to a protected tree requires a Tree Protection Plan prepared by a certified arborist.
Unauthorized removal or destruction of a Significant or Landmark Tree carries fines up to $1,750 per tree, plus the appraised value of the tree (frequently $5,000–$50,000). Failure to replant per the permit may double the penalty. Article 16 violations can also block adjacent building permits until remediation is complete.
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