Tree Removal Permit Process

Alamo is part of the unincorporated Contra Costa County jurisdiction.Click here to see the Contra Costa County Unincorporated Tree Permit Requirements.

• Benicia is a city in Solano County, and Benicia tree removal permits are managed by the city’s Public Works Department.
• The City of Benicia Tree Removal Permit Application is processed online through the OpenGov permitting portal.  Click here for the tree permit application instructions and to apply online.
• Click here to learn more about the Benicia tree removal permit process and city ordinance.

All tree permits are now done through the Public Works Department.

Any questions, please contact Marcos Jaime via email mjaime@ci.benicia.ca.us

Blackhawk is part of the unincorporated Contra Costa County jurisdiction. Click here to see the Contra Costa County Unincorporated Tree Permit Requirements.

• Clayton is a city in Contra Costa County, and Clayton tree removal permits are typically managed by the city’s planning department.
• You can visit the official website of the City of Clayton to find specific information about tree removal permits and the application process. Here is the link to the City of Clayton’s Citizens’ Guide for frequently asked questions. Once you click the link, scroll to page 15 for the tree removal permit requirements.
• Click here to learn more about the City of Clayton tree removal permit process and city ordinance.

For more information, call the Community Development Department at 925-673-7300.

• • Concord is a city in Contra Costa County, and Concord tree removal permits are managed by the city’s Public Works department.
  • You can visit the City of Concord’s official website to find information on tree removal permits and the application process. Click here for the City of Concord Public Works.
  •  Click here to learn more about the City of Concord tree removal permit process and city ordinance.
  • Questions regarding the process for obtaining a permit to remove protected trees may be directed to the City Arborist Alex Diosdado at (925) 603-5914. Please allow up to five (5) business days to receive a response, or visit their “Trees” page for great information on tree care and protected trees.

Contra Costa County has jurisdiction over unincorporated communities for the removal of protected trees.

Unincorporated communities in our service area, not limited to, are Alamo, Blackhawk, Crockett, Diablo, Port Costa, Rodeo, Saranap, and some unincorporated areas of Danville, Martinez, and Walnut Creek.

To find out if your address is in an unincorporated area of Contra Costa County, use the county’s office parcel map (CCMAP) tool, check your property tax bill, or call the Planning Department (925) 655-2700 and provide them with your address or APN to confirm your jurisdiction.

Click here to learn more about the Contra Costa County unincorporated tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

Click here for the Contra Costa County tree ordinance update.

Contact the Department of Conservation and Development at 925-655-2700 with any questions.

Crockett is part of the unincorporated Contra Costa County jurisdiction. Click here to see the Contra Costa County Unincorporated Tree Permit Requirements.

• Danville is a town in Contra Costa County, and Danville tree removal permits are managed by the Town of Danville’s planning department.
• You can visit the Town of Danville’s official website to find specific information on tree removal permits and the application process by clicking here.
• Unincorporated Areas: The Danville area has both incorporated town limits and unincorporated communities located within Contra Costa County. Unincorporated areas in the immediate vicinity of Danville are governed by Contra Costa County rather than the Town of Danville. Click here for Contra Costa County unincorporated tree removal permit process.
• Click here to learn more about the Town of Danville tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

If you have any questions on the process, please call the Town of Danville’s Planning Division at (925) 314-3310.

• Diablo is an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County, California. Click here to see the Contra Costa County Unincorporated Tree Permit Requirements.

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• Fairfield is a city in Solano County, and Fairfield tree removal permits are typically managed by the city’s planning department.
• You can visit the City of Fairfield’s official website for specific information on tree removal permits and the application process. Click here for the City of Fairfield Planning Division.
• Click here to obtain information on the Fairfield tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

For any questions or assistance, contact the Fairfield Planning Department at 707-428-7461.

• Hercules is a city in Contra Costa County.  Hercules tree removal permits are managed by the City of Hercules Public Works Engineering Department.
• You can visit the City of Hercules official website for specific information on tree removal permits and the application process. Click here for the City of Hercules Public Works Engineering Department.
• Hercules municipal code concerning mature trees in Chapter 15: Removal of Mature Trees on eCode360.
•  Click here to obtain information on the Hercules tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

For more information on the Hercules tree removal permit process, contact the City of Hercules Public Works Department at 510-799-8244.

• Lafayette is a city in Contra Costa County. Lafayette tree removal permits are managed by the city’s planning department.
• You can visit the City of Lafayette’s official website for specific information on tree removal permits and the application process. Click here for the City of Lafayette tree removal permits.
• Click here to obtain information about the City of Lafayette tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

For more information, please call the City of Lafayette Planning & Building Department at (925) 284-1976.

• Martinez is a city in Contra Costa County,  and the City of Martinez tree removal permits are managed by the city’s planning department.
• Unincorporated Areas: While the city limits are in the county, the surrounding area includes “unincorporated areas” such as Alhambra Valley, Franklin Canyon,  Vine Hill, and Mountain View, which are also within Contra Costa County but not part of the city proper. See the  Contra Costa County Unincorporated Tree Permit Requirements for unincorporated properties.
• For information on tree removal permits in Martinez, you can visit the city’s official website or contact the Martinez Planning Division. Click here for the City of Martinez tree removal handout.
• Click here to learn more about the City of Martinez tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at 925-372-3515.

• Moraga is a town in Contra Costa County. Moraga tree removal permits are managed by the planning department.
• To find information about tree removal permits in Moraga, you can visit the official website of the Town of Moraga or contact the Moraga Planning Department. Here’s their website: Town of Moraga Planning Department
• Click here to obtain information on the Moraga tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

For more information, please call the Planning Department at 925-888-7040.

• Orinda is a city in Contra Costa County.  Orinda tree removal permits are managed by the City of Orinda Planning Department.
• For information on tree removal permits in Orinda, you can visit the city’s official website or contact the Orinda Planning Department. Here’s their website: City of Orinda Planning Department
• Tree Ordinance: Click here for the City of Orinda tree removal ordinance handout.
• Click here to learn more about the Orinda tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

For questions on the tree removal permit process, please contact the City of Orinda’s Planning Department at (925) 253-4210 or email orindaplanning@cityoforinda.org

Pacheco is part of the unincorporated Contra Costa County jurisdiction. Click here to see the Contra Costa County Unincorporated Tree Permit Requirements.

• Pinole is a city in Contra Costa County. Pinole tree removal permits are managed by the city’s planning department.
• You can visit the City of Pinole’s official website for specific information on tree removal permits and the application process. Here’s their website: City of Pinole Planning Department
•  Click here to learn more about Pinole’s tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

For questions about the Pinole tree removal permit process, please call the Pinole Planning
Department 510-724-9000.

• Pleasant Hill is a city in Contra Costa County, and Pleasant Hill tree removal permits are managed by the city’s planning department.
• You can visit the City of Pleasant Hill’s official website for specific information on tree removal permits and the application process.  Click here for the City of Pleasant Hill Planning Department.
• Click here to learn more about the City of Pleasant Hill tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

If you have any questions, please call the City of Pleasant Hill Planning Department at 925-671-5209.

Protected Trees:

Native species

• Any single-trunked tree with a minimum trunk circumference of 37” measured 4.5’ above ground level.
• Any multi-trunked tree with a minimum circumference of 37” measured below the split at the narrowest point below the main attachment or at the base if applicable.
• The following tree species shall be considered native: Big Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum), Box Elder (Acer negundo), California Buckeye (Aesculus californica), California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), Canyon Oak (Quercus chrysolepis), Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizenii), Blue Oak (Quercus douglassii), California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii), Valley Oak (Quercus lobata), California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica), California Black Walnut (Juglans hindsii), Tan Oak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus)

Non-native species (any species not listed above)

• Any single-trunked tree with a minimum trunk circumference of 55” measured 4.5’ above ground level.
• Any multi-trunked tree with a minimum circumference of 55” measured below the split at the narrowest point below the main attachment or at the base if applicable.

Heritage Tree

A tree that is considered irreplaceable. Designated by the Landscape Architecture Section. Any pruning of Heritage Trees shall be done in consultation with the City’s arborist.

Note that city ordinance specifies that “All pruning of Protected Trees shall be performed under the supervision of an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist, in accordance with pruning guidelines, established by the current versions of the ISA Best Management Practices, Tree Pruning and American National Standards Institute ( ANSI) A300 – Part 1 Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Management Standard Practices, Pruning, and any special conditions as determined by the Director.”

Permit Process:  You can find the tree removal permit here. Please note that a report from one of the city’s approved list of Certified Arborist (which we are on) is required if you wish to remove 5 or more trees on the same permit.

For more information regarding the Heritage Tree Preservation Ordinance call the City’s Landscape Architect Assistant/Arborist at (925) 931-5514 or visit their Landscape Architecture Division website here. You can also view the ordnance here. For more information regarding the Heritage Tree Preservation Ordinance call the City’s Landscape Architect Assistant/Arborist at (925) 931-5514.

Port Costa is part of the unincorporated Contra Costa County jurisdiction. Click here to see the Contra Costa County Unincorporated Tree Permit Requirements.

• Rodeo is an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County. Click here to see the Contra Costa County Unincorporated Tree Permit Requirements.

• San Ramon is a city in Contra Costa County, and San Ramon tree removal permits are managed by the city’s planning department.
• You can visit the City of San Ramon’s official website for specific information on tree removal permits and the application process. Here’s their website: City of San Ramon Planning Division refer to FAQ 11.
•  Click here to learn more about the San Ramon tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance.

Please contact the City’s Planning Department at (925) 973-2560 with questions.

• Vallejo is a city in Solano County, and Vallejo tree removal permits are typically managed by the city’s planning department.
• You can visit the official website of the City of Vallejo to find specific information about tree removal permits and the application process. Here’s their website: City of Vallejo Planning Division https://www.cityofvallejo.net/our_city/departments_divisions/public_works_department/maintenance_division/facilities_grounds/tree_services

Per the City of Vallejo’s Public Works Department, a permit is not required to trim or remove trees on private property that are NOT associated with a building project (click here for more information about protected trees associated with a building permit). However, they do have standards for tree trimming and planting, per their tree and landscape ordinance. You can view more information here.

• Walnut Creek is a city in Contra Costa County.  Walnut Creek’s tree removal permits are managed by the Walnut Creek Public Works Department.
• Unincorporated Areas: While the city limits are in the county, the surrounding area includes unincorporated areas, such as North Gate, San Miguel, Saranap, and parts of Tice Valley, which are also within Contra Costa County but not part of the city proper. See the  Contra Costa County Unincorporated Tree Permit Requirements for unincorporated properties.
• For information on tree removal permits in the City of Walnut Creek, you can visit the city’s official website or contact the Walnut Creek Public Works Department. Here’s their website: City of Walnut Creek Public Works 
• Click here to learn more about the City of Walnut Creek tree removal permit process and protected tree ordinance. 

Please contact the City of Walnut Creek Public Works Department at 925-943-5834 or email DutyEngineer@walnut-creek.org with any questions about tree removal.