Sacramento requires permits for the removal of protected trees under City Code Chapter 12.56 (Tree Planting, Maintenance, and Conservation). A tree permit is required to remove, prune more than 25% of the canopy, or perform any work within the dripline of a city street tree or private protected tree (formerly Heritage Trees). Private protected trees are generally those with a trunk diameter of 12 inches or more (measured at 4.5 feet above grade) and certain native species of any size.
The City Arborist reviews all tree removal permit applications. Protected trees on private property include: any tree with a trunk circumference of 100 inches or more at 4.5 feet above grade (approximately 32 inches diameter), and native oaks, sycamores, and California buckeyes of any size. Street trees are city property and removal requires City Arborist approval. Removal permits may require replacement planting at a specified ratio, typically 1:1 for most trees and up to 3:1 for Heritage Trees. The City may deny removal permits if the tree is healthy and does not pose an imminent hazard. Emergency removal for hazardous trees must be reported within 5 business days.
Removing a protected tree without a permit can result in administrative fines of $500 to $25,000 per tree depending on size and species, plus mandatory replacement planting. Penalties for Heritage Tree violations are significantly higher.
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See how Sacramento's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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