Tree-removal permitting in the City of Napa is governed by Chapter 12.45 (Trees on Private Property) and Chapter 12.44 (Public Trees and Plants). Removal of any Protected Native Tree on a qualifying lot (over one acre residential or agricultural, or any commercial or industrial parcel) requires a permit from the Tree Advisory Commission after a noticed public hearing. Permits are granted only on specific findings of necessity. Routine private-tree removals on smaller residential lots do not require a Napa permit. Street and city trees require Public Works/Parks and Recreation approval under Chapter 12.44.
Napa's tree-removal permit framework is built on Chapter 12.45 of the Napa Municipal Code (https://ecode360.com/43393111) and Chapter 12.44 (https://ecode360.com/43393062). Under Β§12.45.090, where there is no pending discretionary development application, the property owner (or authorized representative) applies to the Director of Parks and Recreation Services on the designated form for permission to remove a Protected Native Tree. The application must include a site plan showing each Protected Native Tree on the property by species, size, drip line, and location, plus the location of all other trees on site and in the adjacent public right-of-way, and adjacent-property trees with drip lines crossing the property. The application may require photographs and an arborist report. The Tree Advisory Commission decides after a public hearing - notice mailed at least 10 days in advance to all owners within a 300-foot radius and posted near the subject tree. The Commission may grant the permit only on specific findings: (a) the tree must be removed to make reasonable use of the property and no reasonable design alternative exists; (b) the tree's condition with respect to disease, danger of falling, or interference with utility services requires removal for public health and safety; or (c) the tree or its roots are causing or threatening serious or unmitigable damage to a building. Applicants dissatisfied may appeal to City Council within 10 days; the Council hearing is set within 45 days of appeal filing, and the Council's decision is final. Where a discretionary development application is pending, removal is reviewed through the development approval under Β§12.45 subsections governing the Planning Director and decision-making body, with the same findings plus a finding that the project has minimized tree loss to the extent possible. Routine private-tree removals on residential lots one acre or smaller (for non-protected species) do not require a Napa permit. Street tree removals require Parks and Recreation Services Director approval under Chapter 12.44 (1500 Jefferson Street, 707-257-9529). Large land-development sites are also subject to State Water Board Construction General Permit erosion-and-sediment-control requirements.
Removing a Protected Native Tree without a Β§12.45.090 permit is a Municipal Code violation, subject to administrative citation, ISA tree-appraisal restitution, the chapter's mandatory replacement program (2 trees per 6 inches of removed-tree DBH at minimum 15-gallon container), and a three-year survivability bond. The City may also withhold permits and Certificate of Occupancy on related construction until cure. Unauthorized removal of a street tree under Chapter 12.44 may trigger restitution for the appraised tree value and additional code-violation penalties.
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