San Francisco, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Who can nominate
- Owner, commission, or dept. director
- Reviewing body
- Public Works, then Board of Supervisors
- Designation method
- Board ordinance
- Rejected nomination wait
- 3 years before renomination
Summary
San Francisco lets owners, commissions, or agency directors nominate a tree for landmark status, which the Board of Supervisors grants by ordinance.
Upon the recommendation of the Department, the Board of Supervisors, by ordinance, may designate as a "landmark tree" any tree within the territorial limits of the City that meets the adopted designation criteria, or may rescind such designations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Any tree in the city can be nominated as a landmark tree by its property owner, the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, or Historic Preservation Commission, or a City department director. Public Works holds a hearing and issues findings on the adopted criteria (age, size, species, history, visual quality), and the Board of Supervisors then designates the tree by ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Once designated, the tree gains landmark protections under Sec. 810; removing or injuring it without following the special permit process can trigger the ordinance's infraction/misdemeanor charges and administrative penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a tree become a San Francisco landmark tree?
Who can nominate a tree for landmark status?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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